WPT Cambodia 2026 Day 2 Recap

Championship Warm Up Day 1A Sets the Tone

Day 1A of the $600 Championship Warm Up at WPT Cambodia 2026 concluded with a strong turnout of 124 entries. By the end of 15 levels of play, only 22 players secured their seats for Day 2. The competition was fierce as players fought to build a stack for the upcoming stages at NagaWorld.

The story of the day was undoubtedly Ahmed Karrim , who finished as the sole “chip millionaire” with a massive stack of 1,007,000. Karrim’s ascent was marked by relentless aggression, including a pivotal overbet against Isaac Hechanova that saw Karrim take down a huge pot with top two pair. He maintained his momentum throughout the evening, more than doubling his stack in the final levels to end the night as the clear frontrunner.

Karrim is a prominent professional poker player from Cape Town, South Africa, currently ranked 3rd on South Africa’s All-Time Money List according to the Hendon Mob. With over $1.7 million in total live earnings, Karrim has established himself as a dominant force in the international poker circuit, particularly within his home country and across major global tours like the WSOP and WPT. He is known for his aggressive playstyle and consistent performance in high-stakes events, recently reaching the $1,000,000 career earnings milestone.

Day 1A Survivors

Following Karrim in the counts are Abhishek Ramesh (603,000) and Rishi Mehra (580,000). Ramesh climbed into the second spot after a daring hero call with pocket jacks against Andreas Tomozoy, eventually eliminating Tomozoy on the subsequent hand.

All 22 survivors will return to the venue and battle it out on Saturday at 11:30 am until the final six players, who will then move on to Day 3 to compete for the title.

Day 1B begins tomorrow at 11:30 am with standard 40-minute levels, followed by a final Day 1C Turbo flight at 6:00 pm featuring 20-minute levels. These flights represent the last chance for players to join the Day 1A survivors in the hunt for the Championship Warm Up crown.

Japan’s Kazuo Yamamoto Claims Victory in NagaWorld Superstack

The $400 NagaWorld Superstack officially launched the WPT Cambodia 2026, drawing a robust field of 185 entries. The high turnout pushed the total prize pool to $63,936, with the top 23 players securing a return on their investment. After 21 levels of intense play, the international field was narrowed down to a final winner at the NagaWorld tables.

Japan’s Kazuo Yamamoto emerged as the champion, taking home the top prize of $11,809. Yamamoto is a dedicated poker player from Tokyo, Japan, and has become a consistent presence on the Asian poker circuit, frequently securing cashes in major festivals such as the Asian Poker Tour (APT), World Poker Tour (WPT), and the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT).

His career is marked by several notable achievements, including a career-best cash of $28,520 from a final table appearance at WPT Cambodia in 2024 and multiple first-place finishes in high-energy events across the Philippines and Taiwan. Known for his versatility in various No Limit Hold’em formats, Yamamoto continues to climb the Global Poker Index rankings as a respected competitor in the international arena.

Final Table Results

The podium was rounded out by Rajneesh Katoch of India and Anthony Abram of Australia, who each secured a $10,000 payout following a competitive finish.

With Kazuo Yamamoto’s victory providing an exciting start, the momentum promises to continue and bring even more action-packed poker at NagaWorld.

Satoshi Tanaka Captures PLO Mini Championship Title

The $300 PLO Mini Championship at WPT Cambodia 2026 concluded with a total prize pool of $21,624, attracting a competitive field of Omaha enthusiasts. By the end of the final day on January 22, the top 12 players finished in the money, representing a diverse international lineup of talent.

Satoshi Tanaka from Japan emerged as the champion, putting on a dominant performance to secure the first-place prize of $6,001. Tanaka is a skilled poker professional and has an established presence in the international poker scene, ranked within the top 50 on the Japan All-Time Money List with total live earnings exceeding half a million. Tanaka has demonstrated significant versatility across various poker formats, including No Limit Hold’em and mixed games, frequently cashing in major series such as the World Series of Poker (WSOP), World Poker Tour (WPT), and various regional tours across the United States.

Tanaka’s career is highlighted by a WSOP bracelet win in 2023, where he secured first place in the $1,000 No Limit Hold’em Tag Team event for a career-best cash of $95,331. Beyond his bracelet victory, he has maintained a high level of consistency, with numerous final table appearances in prestigious events and a steady climb in the Global Poker Index rankings, further solidifying his reputation as a respected competitor representing Japan on the global stage.

Final Table Results

Tanaka was followed closely by Cambodia’s own David Koy, who earned $3,730 for a strong runner-up finish, and Marc Anthony Joseph from South Africa, who took home $2,463 for third place.

The final table featured a truly global field, with players from China, Russia, Japan, Singapore, and Finland all securing cashes. This event further highlights the growing popularity of Pot Limit Omaha within the region’s premier tournament circuits.

Nicolas Praud Triumphs in the Single Day Megastack Mini High Roller

The $1,650 Single Day Megastack Mini High Roller at WPT Cambodia 2026 attracted a field of 38 entries, creating a total prize pool of $55,290. The fast-paced event, featuring 30-second shot clocks, concluded in the WPT Cambodia Day 2 calendar with the top 7 players securing a payout from the competitive field.

France’s Nicolas Praud emerged as the champion, claiming the title and a top prize of $14,657. Praud is an emerging poker professional who has established a growing presence in the international tournament circuit. He has demonstrated his skills across various European and American venues, ranging from prestigious clubs in Paris to high-profile events in Las Vegas.

His career is highlighted by a series of notable final-table appearances, including a career-best cash of $11,051 for an eighth-place finish at the 2024 Wynn Fall Classic in Las Vegas. Praud’s triumph this time not only put his name in the WPT history books but also broke his personal record for best cash. As he continues to compete on the global stage, Praud is a player to watch within the competitive French poker community.

Final Table Results

While Praud took the trophy, Xiaosheng Zheng from China secured the runner-up position, taking home $15,200 for his finish. The final table showcased a truly global lineup, with Zhi Yu of China banking third place for $7,741, followed by Brazil’s Cesar Augusto Da Silva in fourth for $6,082. Other notable players included Georgios Skarparis from Cyprus, who boasts over seven figures in total live earnings and earned $4,423 for his fifth-place finish.

The Single Day Megastack Mini High Roller highlights the growing international appeal of the WPT Cambodia 2026 series. With Nicolas Praud’s record-breaking victory and a final table featuring competitors from six different nations, the event has set a high standard for the high-stakes action remaining on the schedule.

Radoslaw Cybulski Captures the Freezeout 30 Sec Title

The $200 Freezeout 30 Sec (Event #6) at WPT Cambodia 2026 took place on January 22, drawing a field of 57 entries. This turnout created a prize pool of $9,576, with the top 9 players making it into the money.

The tournament featured a fast-paced structure with 20-minute levels and a 30-second shot clock, challenging players to make quick decisions under pressure. Radoslaw Cybulski from Poland emerged as the champion, securing the top prize of $2,873 and the WPT trophy.

Cybulski is a poker player who has established a consistent presence in the European tournament circuit, including events in Slovakia, Malta, and the Czech Republic. He is known for competing across diverse international fields. Cybulski continues to build his professional profile through steady performances in competitive mid-stakes festivals.

Final Table Results

The final table was certainly international, reflecting the broad appeal of the series at NagaWorld once again. Abhishek Sharma from India finished as the runner-up for $1,819,  followed by Jounghun Kim from Korea in third place with $1,197.

This event concluded alongside other high-energy tournaments on a busy Day 2 of the festival. The diverse winners list from this flight further highlights the competitive nature of the side events as the series builds momentum toward the upcoming Championship marquee events.

The $550 Deepstack Turbo 20 Sec provided one of the fastest-paced structures of the WPT Cambodia 2026, demanding quick decision-making from its participants. The event drew a 27-entry field, generating a prize pool of $13,095. By the end of the evening, only the top five players walked away with a piece of the payout.

China’s Zhongzhou Zheng claimed the top spot, earning a payout of $5,238. Zheng has demonstrated his ability to compete in high-stakes environments, particularly in tournaments across China, Cambodia, and Vietnam. His career reached a significant milestone in early 2024 when he secured a massive $150,000 payout for a second-place finish in a $5,000 No Limit Hold’em event at the HuiOne Series of Poker in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.

In addition to his success in Sihanoukville, Zheng has consistently performed well in other prestigious series, including multiple cashes at the World Poker Tour (WPT) Cambodia Championship. His tournament record also includes deep runs in domestic events like the China Poker Games (CPG) and the CQPT-Guangzhou Poker Tournament. Zheng’s recent victory in the Deepstack Turbo 20 Sec at WPT Cambodia 2026 further solidifies his reputation as a formidable competitor capable of thriving in fast-paced, high-pressure tournament formats.

Final Table Results

Place	Player	Country	Payout (USD)
1	Zhongzhou Zheng	China	$5,238
2	Tianyuan Tang	China	$3,143
3	Damani Mayanc	Singapore	$1,964
4	Shenghao Wu	China	$1,571
5	Elliot Thomas Nicholls	New Zealand	$1,179

Zheng was followed by fellow countryman Tianyuan Tang, who secured $3,143 for second place. The international final table also included Singapore’s Damani Mayanc in third place for $1,964, China’s Shenghao Wu in fourth for $1,571, and New Zealand’s Elliot Thomas Nicholls, who rounded out the cashes in fifth place with $1,179.

Zhongzhou Zheng’s victory in the Deepstack Turbo 20 Sec highlights the elite skill and rapid-fire decision-making defining WPT Cambodia 2026. By mastering the 20-second shot clock to outlast the field, Zheng has further strengthened his impressive performance at NagaWorld.