WPT Cambodia 2026 Day 4 Recap: Qi Li Leads Warm Up Final Six

Qi Li Leads the Final Six as the Championship Warm Up Prize Pool Swells

Day 2 of the $600 Championship Warm Up at WPT Cambodia 2026 saw a highly competitive field of 96 returning players narrowed down to the final six survivors. Driven by strong attendance, the event nearly doubled its initial $150,000 guarantee, attracting 472 entries to create a total prize pool of $247,234.

Qi Li finished the session as the chip leader following a fearless late-day performance. His rise to the top was marked by aggressive play, including a bold all-in move that put maximum pressure on Mykyta Ishchenko, and the night’s final elimination.

In the final hand of the day, Li’s pocket eights held up against the pocket fives of Kaoru Kishimoto, who finished in 7th place for $8,406. Kishimoto had earlier been the tournament’s focal point after vaulting into the chip lead by bursting the money bubble with pocket aces against the pocket queens of Day 1B leader Ridhav Chawla.

Final Six Chip Counts

The money bubble burst just two hours into play. In the very first hand of hand-for-hand play, the bubble burst in a classic cooler. Kishimoto scored the elimination with pocket aces against Day 1B chip leader Ridhav Chawla’s pocket queens. The pot pushed Kishimoto into the chip lead with a huge stack, though his run later ended in seventh place for a payout of $8,406.

With action resumed, 55 players locked up a minimum payout of $1,187 while Abhishek Ramesh held a commanding lead of over 5.5 million chips heading into the final nine. The field continued to shrink with the exits of Rajneesh Katoch, who finished in 9th for $5,608, and Eike Strub in 8th for $6,675.

At the end of the day, it was Li who ended Kishimoto’s tournament run, leaving the field down to the final six. The six remaining players will return tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. to battle for the WPT trophy and the first-place prize of $54,772.

Nobuaki Sasaki Claims Early Bird Megastack Title as “Sasa” Dominates

The Early Bird Megastack, as part of the WPT Cambodia festival, featured a $250 buy-in and attracted a field of 29 entries. This turnout generated a total prize pool of $6,125, which was distributed among the top five finishers.

Nobuaki Sasaki from Japan emerged as the champion, claiming the top prize of $2,450. Sasaki is a known competitor on the Asian circuit, with previous deep runs in WPT Prime events in both Cambodia and Taiwan.

Often known by his alias “Sasa,” Sasaki is currently ranked 60th on Japan’s All-Time Money List. He has built a strong reputation across the Asian poker circuit, frequently securing top finishes in major series such as the Asian Poker Tour (APT), World Poker Tour (WPT) Prime, and the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT). His career is highlighted by numerous victories and deep runs, including a career-best cash of $47,406 for a 6th-place finish in the $10,000 Short Deck event at the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP). Sasaki is recognized for his versatility and consistent performance in high-stakes environments, making him a prominent figure in the international poker community.

Final Table Results

The final table showcased a highly international lineup. Jussi Rintalahti from Finland secured the runner-up position, taking home $1,470, while Gavin Murphy from Ireland finished in third place for $919. Rounding out the money spots were Michael Wood from the USA in fourth place for $735 and Peter Randle from Australia in fifth place for $551.

Sasaki’s victory further cements his reputation as a versatile high-stakes threat, proving his consistency in both marquee championship events and fast-paced side tournaments alike.

Survivor Day 1A Concludes with Ilya Firstov on Top

The $800 Survivor officially kicked off at WPT Cambodia 2026 with Day 1A, attracting an initial wave of elite talent to the tables at NagaWorld. By the end of the opening flight, the field was whittled down to 10 players from 79 entries. The ten survivors secured their spots for Day 2 and represent a highly diverse international lineup, with contenders from India, Ukraine, Thailand, Kazakhstan, France, China, Ireland, Germany, and Latvia all bagging chips.

Leading the pack at the end of Day 1A is Kazakhstan’s Ilya Firstov, who finished the session with a commanding stack of 558,000 chips. He is followed closely by Yunsheng Sun of China, a formidable player with over seven figures in total live earnings, who bagged 469,000, and India’s Kunal Patni, a veteran of the Asian circuit also with over seven figures in total live earnings, who ended the night with 446,000.

Day 1A Top Ten Chip Counts

The remaining survivors include Andre Mabille from France with 395,000, Ukraine’s Erik Rozhynskyi with 328,000, Jakkapong Sreprasom (223,000), Ingus Arajs (222,000), David Josef Sommer (206,000), Lewis Michael Cowell (190,000), and Tsymbal Igor (123,000). These 10 players have set a high competitive bar as the tournament prepares for subsequent starting flights, all vying for a piece of what is expected to be a massive prize pool in this flagship event.

The ten remaining warriors are waiting for more challengers to join them in the Day 2 lineup, as action for Day 1B kicks off at 11:30 tomorrow, January 25.

Laksh Pal Singh Conquers the Superstack Freezeout 30 Sec Field

The $300 Superstack Freezeout 30 Sec (Event #12) at WPT Cambodia 2026 attracted a strong field of 108 entries, generating a total prize pool of $27,475 with the top 15 finishers rewarded. The fast-paced format, governed by a strict 30-second shot clock, tested the mental flexibility of an international field representing over a dozen nations.

India’s Laksh Pal Singh emerged as the champion, securing the top prize of $7,377 after outlasting a diverse final table. Singh has built a reputation as a versatile and consistent competitor across the international poker circuit. His career reached a major milestone in July 2025 at the 56th World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas, where he secured a career-best cash of $57,205 for a 6th-place finish in the $1,979 Poker Hall of Fame Bounty event.

In addition to his success in the United States, Singh has a strong track record in major Asian festivals, including multiple final table appearances at the World Poker Tour (WPT) Prime in Cambodia and Vietnam, as well as the Asian Poker Tour (APT).

Final Table Results

Marjo Annika Nikkinen Wins Ladies Cheap Shot Title

The Ladies Cheap Shot (Event #13) added a vibrant energy to the WPT Cambodia 2026 schedule, offering a unique structure where the first entry was free for the initial 30 minutes of play. This player-friendly format drew a dedicated field of female competitors to NagaWorld, resulting in a competitive battle for the title and a total prize pool of $307.

Mariana Paramo emerged as the champion, claiming the top prize of $207. Paramo is an emerging poker player from Mexico who recently made her mark on the international circuit by capturing the title in the Ladies Cheap Shot (Event #13) at WPT Cambodia 2026. Demonstrating sharp tactical play in the player-friendly format, she outlasted a field of 18 entries to secure the top prize and the WPT trophy.

While her professional profile continues to grow, this victory at NagaWorld highlights her ability to compete effectively in specialized tournament formats. Her success in Cambodia marks a significant step in her competitive journey as she establishes her presence among the diverse international fields of the Asian poker scene.

Final Table Results

Place	Player	Country	Payout
1	Mariana Paramo	Mexico	$207
2	Usha Perumal	India	$100