Johann “Badkoi” Chua defeated Fedor Gorst with a blistering six-rack run to win the 2025 Knight Shot Open title in Dubai, taking home $15,000.
Johann “Badkoi” Chua showed why he’s one of the most feared names in world billiards after powering past Fedor Gorst, 13–6, to capture the 2025 Knight Shot Open title in Dubai Friday, July 18.
What began as a tight battle turned into a masterclass, as Chua pulled away from a narrow 7–6 lead by stringing together six straight racks to shut the door on the former world champion.
The emphatic win not only netted the Filipino ace the championship trophy but also a $15,000 top prize.
“Raising this trophy to the one up there, for my country, my family, friends, sponsors, supporters,” Chua wrote in a social media post.
“Buhay na buhay ang bilyar! Nakaka proud at nakakataba ng puso. Pinapangarap ko lang ito dati na marami sanang sumali na pinoy sa mga tournament dahil naniniwala ako sa galing na meron tayo sa bilyar. Ngayon, eto na kaliwa't kanan ang mga panalo at naniniwala ako na marami pang susunod.”
Chua’s title-clinching victory over Gorst came on the heels of an 11–7 semifinal win against Spain’s David “El Matador” Alcaide, reinforcing the Filipino cue artist’s red-hot form throughout the tournament.
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The loss relegated Gorst to a $7,000 runner-up finish, while fellow Filipino Jeffrey Prieto also made waves in the tournament, reaching the quarterfinals and earning $2,600 for his efforts.
With the win, Chua further solidifies his position among the elite in the global pool scene and builds momentum heading into the World Pool Championship set July 21 to 26 at the Green Halls in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.