FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The GOLDLION CUP & KANGXI SHENGSHI & LIBER WIN CLOTH” 2026 HUACAI WORLD OPEN concluded with Liu Junyan capturing one of the most prestigious titles in Heyball, defeating Sheng Yichen 23-19 in the championship final.
Held in China and featuring an elite field of competitors from around the world, the tournament showcased the highest levels of professional Heyball competition through multiple qualifying stages, a demanding main draw, and a dramatic conclusion worthy of one of the sport’s flagship events.
Liu Junyan’s victory capped an outstanding campaign that saw him overcome some of the strongest players in the discipline. In the final, he delivered a composed and determined performance against Sheng Yichen, securing the championship trophy and the winner’s prize of ¥5,000,000.
Final Standings
🥇 Champion – Liu Junyan
🥈 Runner-Up – Sheng Yichen
🥉 Semi-Finalists – Zhao Ruliang and Shi Tianqi
The semi-finals featured victories for Sheng Yichen over Zhao Ruliang and Liu Junyan over Shi Tianqi, setting the stage for a compelling championship match between two of China’s premier Heyball talents.
A major highlight of the championship was the historic participation of seven-time World Snooker Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, who made his debut in professional Heyball competition.
O’Sullivan’s presence attracted significant international attention and introduced new audiences to the sport. His first official Heyball victory came in a 15-12 win over South Korea’s Kim Suung before his tournament concluded in the Round of 32 against Zheng Xiaohuai. Throughout the event, his matches generated substantial interest among fans, media, and players alike, further elevating the profile of the championship on the world stage.
The 2026 Huacai World Open also demonstrated the increasing depth and competitiveness of the global Heyball community. Established champions, emerging stars, and rising international contenders contributed to a tournament filled with high-quality performances and memorable moments.
A key component of the event’s success was its worldwide broadcast distribution through WPALIVE.TV, the official global broadcaster of the championship.
Over twelve days of competition, WPALIVE.TV delivered extensive live coverage from multiple television tables, bringing the action to audiences across continents through its digital platform and affiliated broadcast channels. Fans around the world were able to follow every stage of the event, from the opening rounds and qualifying matches through to the championship final and award ceremony.
The event’s international reach was further expanded through WPALIVE’s social media platforms and digital distribution network, ensuring unprecedented access to one of the sport’s premier competitions and reinforcing the growing global appeal of Heyball.
The World Pool Association extends its congratulations to Liu Junyan on becoming the 2026 Huacai World Open Champion and recognizes the outstanding achievements of Sheng Yichen, Zhao Ruliang, and Shi Tianqi in reaching the final stages of the tournament.
The WPA also expresses its appreciation to the event organizers, officials, referees, volunteers, sponsors, media representatives, and broadcast partners whose collective efforts delivered a world-class championship.
Special recognition is extended to Goldlion, Kangxi Shengshi, Liber Win Cloth, and all supporting partners for their commitment to the continued growth of Heyball and international cue sports.
With record interest, world-class competition, the landmark Heyball debut of Ronnie O’Sullivan, and comprehensive worldwide coverage through WPALIVE.TV, the 2026 Huacai World Open stands as one of the most significant events in the history of the discipline and a major milestone in the continued development of Heyball around the world.
About the World Pool Association
The World Pool Association (WPA) is the internationally recognized governing body for pocket billiards and oversees world championship competition, international rankings, and the global development of cue sports through its member federations and continental organizations.
About WPALIVE.TV
WPALIVE.TV is the official global streaming and broadcast platform of the World Pool Association, delivering live and on-demand coverage of international cue sports events, world championships, ranking tournaments, and developmental competitions to audiences worldwide.
For media contact
media@wpapool.com
World Pool Association
