He did it. Carlo Biado actually did it.
Jeddah was absolutely sweltering in July 2025, but inside the Green Halls, the air was different. Thick. Tense. You could almost hear a pin drop between the cracks of the cue balls. When the dust finally settled on July 26, the World Pool Championship 2025 had its hero. Carlo Biado, the "Black Tiger," didn't just win a trophy; he reclaimed a throne he first sat on back in 2017.
Honestly, the match was a rollercoaster that left most of us breathless.
The Final That Nobody Saw Coming (And Then Everyone Did)
We need to talk about Fedor Gorst. The guy is a machine. He entered as the defending champion, the world number one, and he looked virtually unbeatable. When Gorst took an early 2-0 lead in the final, the room felt like it was ready to crown him for the second year in a row.
Then Biado woke up.
He didn't just play; he went on a tear. A nine-rack run. You don't see that at this level. Not in a World Championship final. Biado surged to a 9-2 lead, making the most difficult shots look like a casual Sunday at a local pool hall.
But Gorst is Gorst. He clawed back.
The score leveled at 9-9. Then 13-13. The pressure was so high you could practically see the sweat on the viewers' screens. Then came the 27th rack. Gorst went for a jump shot—a move that’s usually his bread and butter—and he scratched. It was the opening Biado needed. He reached the hill and stayed there.
Final score: 15-13. Biado took home the $250,000 top prize and became the first Filipino to ever win the title twice.
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Why the World Pool Championship 2025 Was Different
This wasn't just another tournament. It was the "richest" ever. Matchroom Pool and the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Sport put up a $1,000,000 total prize fund. That's a massive deal for cue sports. It changes the stakes. It changes the way players prepare.
The Venue and the Vibe
Jeddah has become the new Mecca for pool. The Green Halls provided a backdrop that felt more like a high-stakes Las Vegas boxing match than a traditional billiards event.
The Path to the Podium
The field was stacked with 128 of the world's best. But look at the bracket—it was a graveyard for favorites.
- Jayson Shaw: Knocked out early in a massive shocker by Tyler Styer.
- Joshua Filler: Usually a safe bet, but he fell to Jani Uski (9-5) in a match that left the German star looking genuinely stunned.
- Francisco Sanchez Ruiz: The 2023 champ got bounced 11-4 by Bernie Regalario.
Regalario, by the way, is a name you need to remember. He’s part of that "New Wave" of Filipino talent that seems to be taking over the WPA circuit. He pushed Biado in the semifinals but couldn't quite close the door, losing 11-3.
Money Talks: The Breakdown
You’ve got to appreciate the transparency of the 2025 payout. It wasn't just the winner getting fat checks.
- Winner: $250,000 (Biado)
- Runner-up: $100,000 (Gorst)
- Semi-finalists: $50,000 each (Regalario and Kledio Kaci)
- Quarter-finalists: $25,000
Even the guys who finished in the bottom tier (98th–128th) walked away with $1,000. It’s a step toward making pool a more sustainable career for the mid-ranked pros who often struggle with travel costs.
What Most People Get Wrong About 9-Ball
There’s this misconception that 9-ball is all about the break. Sure, a "golden break" is great, but the 2025 championship proved it’s really about safety play.
Biado didn't win just because he’s a great shot-maker. He won because his safety game was suffocating. There were racks where Gorst didn't even have a clear look at the object ball for ten minutes. It’s a game of chess played with felt and chalk.
People also think the "big names" always dominate. But the World Pool Championship 2025 showed us that the gap between the top 10 and the top 100 is shrinking. When guys like Tyler Styer are taking out Jayson Shaw, you know the talent pool is deeper than it’s ever been.
Practical Takeaways for the Fans
If you're looking to follow the tour in 2026, here’s how to stay ahead of the curve.
First, watch the Philippines. Seriously. The "Biado Effect" is real. Between Carlo, Johann Chua, and the young Bernie Regalario, the Pinoy dominance is back in full force.
Second, pay attention to the Saudi Arabian events. They have a 10-year partnership with Matchroom. This means the World Pool Championship is likely staying in Jeddah for the foreseeable future. If you’re a traveling fan, start looking at flights to the Middle East for July.
Lastly, keep an eye on the rankings. The WNT (World Nineball Tour) rankings now dictate who gets into these events. It's no longer just about who is popular; it's about who is winning on the grind.
The next major step for any pool enthusiast is to track the 2026 WPA schedule, specifically the early-season opens in Europe, which often serve as the primary qualifiers for the next World Championship field.