Oh, first I wanted to discuss something:
Would they have crossed paths while he was competing in Kanto? It says she was a runner-up. I was thinking he remembered seeing her and would have lost to her the first time and then when he challenged it again, she was not there and he won. Or it could have been when he beat her. I didn't have a time in which he became the Champion. Did you have a time when she was? Just something to throw in for greater intrigue.

EDIT: Well, that was longer than intended...>.>