DP160: A Marathon Rivalry!

is the 3rd episode of Pokémon: DP Sinnoh League Victors.
==Synopsis==
Continuing toward Daybreak Town and Dawn's next Pokémon Contest, Ash and our gang meet up with a Snorlax that is exercising on a trampoline. Snorlax is being "scientifically trained" by its Trainer—a boy named Daniel. Daniel uses sophisticated methods and monitoring equipment to train his Pokémon, as the look of his physically fit Snorlax shows. Ash believes that tuning into a Pokémon's feelings is the superior way to train, but Daniel disagrees. When Ash challenges Daniel to a battle, Daniel informs our heroes of the Pokéathlon, which will be held that very day there in Camellia Town! Ash agrees to enter the sports event and compete against Daniel, among many other Trainers.
Ash and Daniel tie in the first round. The second round is only an exhibition performance. The third round is to be a challenging Hurdle Dash! Ash is excited at the prospect, but a disguised Team Rocket has set up a massage center, and asks both Daniel and Ash to leave their Pokémon there for a "relaxing massage"—with the real purpose of stealing Pikachu and Daniel's Snorlax! Daniel manages to free Pikachu from Team Rocket's grip, and the two Trainers are finally set to see their Pokémon compete in the Hurdle Dash. They stay neck-and-neck the whole way, but eventually Snorlax wins...by a belly!
When Ash congratulates Daniel and says his "scientific training" merits a closer look, Daniel sheepishly tells Ash that he is now more interested in a training style that concentrates on his Pokémon's feelings! So, with new friendship and mutual respect, Daniel says goodbye to our heroes, and they continue toward Daybreak Town.
==Episode plot==
As the heroes continue their path to Daybreak Town, they spot a giant trampoline. Pikachu and Piplup jump on it and get bounced when a Snorlax jumps on it as well. They notice Snorlax is much stronger and a man comes, seeing that Snorlax improved. The man is a scientist named Daniel and the heroes introduce themselves to him. Daniel brags that he used scientific methods to train it. In his facility, he wires some devices on Snorlax and Snorlax runs on the training line and when it is about to jump across an obstacle, Daniel jumps to get Snorlax jump safely and quickly.
While impressive, Ash tells Daniel that he and Pikachu do not need technology to be bonded or to train. Daniel responds that he is bonded with Snorlax via science, making Ash a bit angry. Ash challenges him to a battle to prove his words. Daniel refuses, but offers him to compete in the Pokéathlon; a series of challenges where a trainer and his/her Pokémon compete, which is held in Camellia Town. Brock and Ash know of this as they traveled in Johto when it was held. They look upon the poster to see what challenges are present, so Ash is tempted to enter. Daniel does not believe that a non-scientist could defeat him.
As they come to the registration booth, Dawn tells Ash she won't be participating, as she needs to focus on the Contest. Daniel does not believe he would be defeated by feelings, but Ash notices Snorlax seems a bit sad from all the training it received. Daniel checks this via the computer and realizes Ash was right, though baffled that Ash did not use computers to know. James and Meowth approach and advise Daniel his Snorlax could use a massage. Though Daniel is a bit skeptical, he leaves the tent, which makes Team Rocket pleased they got themselves a new Pokémon for the boss. James and Meowth advise Ash as well his Pikachu could use a massage. They take Pikachu (who seems that he needs massage) and go in the tent.
The Pokéathlon starts. The first event is Disk Catch, where the trainer jumps on a board so his/her Pokémon is launched in the air to get the disk. The disks are launched, the Pokémon jump and push the disks near the trainers. When the event ends, Ash and Daniel got an equal amount of disks and win. However, Brock and Dawn do not see Ash; he and Daniel went to get their Pokémon. At the tent, they see Team Rocket are getting away. However, Daniel's Snorlax is too heavy for the balloon to go off.
Jessie sends Yanmega, who uses Steel Wing to cut the rope. Snorlax is freed, so they take off with Pikachu in their possession. Ash sends Staraptor to free Pikachu, but gets poked and defeated by the robotic arms. While pleased, they blast off when Snorlax crashes the balloon by jumping from the trampoline. Ash runs to get Pikachu before he falls, but Snorlax comes and Pikachu lands on it. Ash thanks Daniel, though Daniel responds he wants to beat him using science. Suddenly, they get a call they need to report in the arena, so they run inside. They come in time for Hurl Dash. When they come to their places, they receive headgear (which works on the principle Daniel used to train with Snorlax in his facility); simply put, the trainer needs to react to jump so that their Pokémon can react in time, as they can only get the trainer's transmission when to jump.
The trainers do well; in the lead are Ash's Pikachu and Daniel's Snorlax. Before the finish line, Snorlax and Pikachu charge towards the end. It is a close call, but upon viewing the slow-motion video, Snorlax won by a belly. Ash congratulates Daniel and thinks he should train somewhen like he did. Daniel admits he paid attention what Ash said and felt Snorlax's emotions. They shake hands, which reminds Dawn of her next Contest in Daybreak Town.
==Gallery==
==References==
Category:Episodes focusing on Ash