>>49129816I think this is why so many people get upset over the tournament losses. There aren't enough instances of Ash simply being outclassed as a trainer, he's either up against some thugs/wild pokemon where neither party plays by any rules, or he's up against a gym leader that's wearing the kiddy gloves.
The similarity between this and the episode where kanto-Ash got demolished by that dude with the sandshrew are amazing.
>Ash lost to some sandshrew? He had two gym badges, and beat ten kids who came at him with their family's pet rattata and growlithe! Ash was robbed! He deserved the win! 