Filler Dominates Szewczyk to Claim World Pool Championship 2026 Title

1st Place: Joshua Filler

Joshua Filler delivered a dominant performance throughout the tournament, culminating in a 13-5 win over Wojciech Szewczyk in the final. Filler, known for his aggressive style and precise shot-making, never trailed in the match. He opened with a 3-0 lead and extended it to 7-2 at the mid-session break. Szewczyk won two racks early in the second session to close to 7-4, but Filler responded with a six-rack run to seal the victory. Filler's path to the final included wins over Jonás Souto (11-7 in the semifinals) and earlier victories against top opponents.

2nd Place: Wojciech Szewczyk

Wojciech Szewczyk had a remarkable run to the final, his best career finish in a major championship. He defeated Jayson Shaw 11-9 in a tense semifinal match, showcasing his tactical prowess and clutch shot-making. Szewczyk's journey included upset wins over higher-ranked players, but he could not match Filler's firepower in the final. Despite the loss, Szewczyk's performance earned him the runner-up spot and a significant boost in the world rankings.

3rd Place: Jayson Shaw

Jayson Shaw finished third after a narrow 11-9 loss to Szewczyk in the semifinals. Shaw, a former world champion, displayed his trademark aggressive play throughout the event. He reached the semifinals with a quarterfinal win over Ko Pin Yi. Shaw's semifinal match against Szewczyk was tightly contested, with Shaw rallying from 9-6 down to tie at 9-9 before Szewczyk won the final two racks. Shaw's third-place finish adds to his impressive record in World Pool Championships.

4th Place: Jonás Souto

Jonás Souto, the surprise of the tournament, finished fourth after losing 11-7 to Filler in the semifinals. Souto, a relatively unknown player from Spain, made a deep run by defeating several seeded players. His quarterfinal victory over Shane Van Boening was a highlight. Souto's semifinal match against Filler was competitive early, but Filler's experience and power proved too much. Souto's performance earned him a career-best finish and recognition as a rising talent in the sport.