PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Brisbane, Australia | November 5, 2025
Gareth Potts and Kelly Fisher Crowned 2025 WPA Heyball World Champions
The WPA Heyball World Championship 2025 has concluded in spectacular fashion at the Nissan Arena, Brisbane, marking the end of four thrilling days of elite cue sports competition that united the world’s best players under one roof.
Hosted by the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) and powered by Joy Billiards, this year’s event featured 128 of the world’s finest cueists—64 men and 64 women—competing for a USD 400,000 total prize pool, equally divided between men’s and women’s divisions.
Gareth Potts Triumphs Once Again
In a masterclass of control, precision, and experience, Gareth Potts (Great Britain) has been crowned the Men’s Heyball World Champion 2025, defeating Sina Valizadeh (Iran) 7–4 in a gripping final.
Potts, already a legend in the cue sports world, added yet another world title to his illustrious career, displaying clinical accuracy and mental strength throughout the match.
Valizadeh, who took down in-form players including Jack Whelan on his way to the final, finishes as runner-up after an outstanding campaign that showcased his world-class potential.
The bronze medals went to Jack Whelan (Great Britain) and Arfan Dad (Pakistan) — both of whom delivered exceptional performances throughout the knockout stages.
Kelly Fisher Claims Women’s World Crown
In the women’s final, Kelly Fisher (Great Britain) produced a phenomenal performance to defeat World No.1 Shi Tianqi (China) in a nail-biting shootout after the match ended 6–6 at regulation time, claiming the Women’s Heyball World Championship 2025 title.
The British cue star showcased her trademark focus and finesse, outplaying Tianqi in tactical exchanges and seizing key opportunities at crucial moments.
Shi Tianqi, who had been dominant throughout the championship, finishes as runner-up, while Amee Kamani (India) and Marion Jude (France) took home bronze after exceptional tournament runs.
A Championship of Equality, Excellence, and Global Reach
This year’s event made history not only for its scale but also for its principle of equal payouts for men and women, reaffirming the WPA’s dedication to fairness, opportunity, and inclusivity in cue sports.
Broadcast live across 17 tables on WPALive.tv and followed globally on digitalpool.com, the championship reached millions of fans worldwide — setting a new benchmark for digital engagement in the sport.
WPA President Ishaun Singh praised the success of the championship:
“The 2025 Heyball World Championship was a celebration of skill, unity, and equality. From thrilling matches to the passion of fans, this event has proven that Heyball has a truly global heart.”
💬 Message from Mr. Qiao Yuanxu, Founder and CEO of Joy Billiards:
“The 2025 WPA Heyball World Championship represents more than competition — it is the celebration of skill, equality, and unity.
Watching athletes from across the globe perform at this level fills us with pride and reinforces our mission: to make Heyball a truly international sport.”
Final Results
Men’s Champion: 🇬🇧 Gareth Potts
Runner-Up: 🇮🇷 Sina Valizadeh
Bronze: 🇬🇧 Jack Whelan, 🇵🇰 Arfan Dad
Women’s Champion: 🇬🇧 Kelly Fisher
Runner-Up: 🇨🇳 Shi Tianqi
Bronze: 🇮🇳 Amee Kamani, 🇫🇷 Marion Jude
The WPA Heyball World Championship 2025 closes as one of the most dynamic and defining events in cue sports history — setting the stage for the sport’s continued rise toward global recognition.
📺 Watch full replays and highlights: WPALive.tv
🌐 More information: www.wpapool.com
Issued by:
World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA)
📩 media@wpapool.com
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