The WPA World Ten-ball Championship is a professional ten-ball pool tournament sanctioned by the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA). The event was first held in 2008 in the Philippines, followed by playings there in 2009 and 2011. After not being contested for several years, it was resurrected in 2015 by boxer Manny Pacquiao, who successfully campaigned to the WPA for the championship to be moved from Metro Manila to General Santos. An event was announced in June 2018, but was postponed until relocating to the Las Vegas Valley in 2019.
History
In 2008 the World Ten-ball Championship was held, with prizes totaling US$400,000 (₱18,860,000), was held at the Philippine International Convention Center, Manila, September 29 through October 5, 2008. There were 128 players competing, representing 44 countries. Vice President of the Philippines Noli de Castro made the ceremonial opening break shot, witnessed by officials of the WPA, International Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines, and tournament organizer Raya Sports.
In the final, England's Darren Appleton defeated nineteen-year-old Wu Jia-qing, who was using a borrowed cue stick, winning $100,000.sports.inquirer.net, "Pulpul's Magical Run Ends" Appleton was also quoted as saying: "Pool is an easy choice for me as a sport as I have to choose among boxing, football and pool among others. But this victory is sweeter for me and I have to dedicate this to my parents, whose relationship is in the rocks. With the $100,000 grand prize, first, I have to give some to my parents, because we had a difficult way of living."Manila Standard Today, "Appleton's 16-year Wait Over" IHT.com, Appleton Wins World 10-ball Title
WPA president Ian Anderson would later announce: "This early, there's a strong clamor for the WTBC and it will definitely be back next year in Manila. It will be staged October of next year and there's also the Philippine Open to be held June 2009. I think Manila is the best place to go in hosting pool and it is living up to its billing as the pool Mecca in Asia." The event would later take place in 2009, being won by Finn Mika Immonen, and then again in 2011 by Dutchman Huidji See. A later event was reimagined by boxer Manny Pacquiao in 2015, with the event being won by Taipei's Ko Pin-yi.
On July 30, 2018, the WPA announced the return of the World Ten-ball Championship. The event was set to take place in the Philippines, but was later postponed. Taipei's Ko Ping-chung won the 2019 event, which took place in Las Vegas. The 2020 edition of the championship was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 edition was won by Albanian Eklent Kaçi, and the 2022 edition was won by Pole Wojciech Szewczyk.
Winners
The following is a list of Men's WPA World Ten-Ball Champions. Year HostFinal Semifinalists Winner Score Runner-up2008Darren Appleton13–11Wu Jia-qingDemosthenes PulpulNiels Feijen2009Mika Immonen11–6Lee Vann CortezaAntonio LiningDavid Alcaide2011Huidji See11–8Fu JianboCarlo BiadoYukio Akakariyama2015Ko Pin-yi11–9Carlo BiadoKo Ping-chungDavid Alcaide2019Ko Ping-chung10–7Joshua FillerKo Pin-yiMasato Yoshioka2021Eklent Kaçi10–6Naoyuki ŌiJohann ChuaAloysius Yapp2022Wojciech Szewczyk10–8Christopher TévezEklent KaçiJayson Shaw2023Eklent Kaçi10–7Francisco Sánchez RuizFedor GorstJoshua Filler2024Carlo Biado3–1Naoyuki ŌiDenis GrabeFedor Gorst2025Ko Ping-chung3–1Alexander KazakisShane Van BoeningCarlo Biado2026Wojciech Szewczyk3–1Eklent KaçiJoshua FillerSanjin Pehlivanovic
Women
The following is a list of Women's WPA World Ten-Ball Champions. Year HostFinal Semifinalists Winner Runner-up2009Rubilen AmitLiu Shin-meiAkimi KajitaniJasmin Ouschan2010Jasmin OuschanKim Ga-youngKelly FisherRubilen Amit2011Kelly FisherTsai Pei-ChenKim Ga-youngHan Yu2012Kim Ga-youngChen SimingFu XiaofangCha Yu-ram2013Rubilen AmitKelly FisherHan YuTsai Pei-Chen2022Chou Chieh-yuWei Tzu-chienJasmin OuschanKelly Fisher2023Chezka CentenoHan YuAllison FisherKelly Fisher2024Kristina TkachSeo SeoaChezka CentenoJasmin Ouschan2025Chezka CentenoRubilen AmitMarharyta FefilavaLiu Shasha2026Margarita StylerChezka CentenoChou Chieh-yuSeo Seoa
Mixed teams The following is a list of Men's & Women's WPA World Mixed Teams Ten-Ball Champions. Year HostFinal Semifinalists Winners Runner-up2022 AustriaRubilen AmitCarlo BiadoJohann ChuaKelly FisherJayson ShawDarren AppletonPia FillerJoshua FillerThorsten HohmannChou Chieh-yuWu Kun-linChang Jung-lin2023 San JuanPia FillerJoshua FillerMoritz NeuhausenChou Chieh-yuChang Jung-linWu Kun-linJasmin OuschanAlbin OuschanMario HeSara RochaJoão GriloMiguel Silva2026 Las VegasCarlo BiadoRubilen AmitChezka CentenoJefrey RodaWojciech SzewczykKatarzyna WesołowskaDaniel MaciołAlbin OuschanJasmin OuschanMario HeMax LechnerShane Van BoeningSkyler WoodwardSavannah Easton
Doubles In 2025, the WPA organized a men's only 10-ball doubles championship that was held in Bali, labeled as the first World Championship in the modality of doubles 10-ball.
Year HostFinal Semifinalists Winners Runner-up2025 Nusa DuaWu Kun-linHsieh Chia-chenAlex PagulayanJohn MorraWojciech SzewczykKonrad JuszczyszynDaniel MaciołGerson MartínezChristopher Tévez2026Francisco Sánchez RuizDavid AlcaideJonás SoutoCarlo BiadoAJ ManasWojciech SzewczykDaniel MaciołIrsal NasutionAlbert Januarta
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