World Championships Review
Michael Rhodes, the potting machine from the North East of England became only the second Amateur player in history to take down the most prestigious title in the sport and become the IPA World Champion. It has been ten years since this incredible feat last happened and is such a tough challenge as Amateur players have to come through the qualification rounds, and then mix it with the best from the Professional ranks.
All the big names were in attendance for the ‘Big One’ with the likes of Pro Number 1 Mark Boyle, former Champions Liam Dunster, Marc Farnsworth, Wales duo Craig Marsh & Ben Davies, plus the current title holder and the only 2-time winner, Gareth Hibbott. Plus when you add in the many other highly skilled players, it all made for a breathtaking tournament.
The action started on the Tuesday with the qualification rounds, which always throw up some eyebrow raising ties, especially with the new raft of IPA Professionals, who would be classed as Amateur for the ‘Worlds’, as they don’t officially become Pro until the first Tour event in March.
Rhodes kicked off at 5pm and duly took his place in the Last 64 stage (when the seeded Professionals enter the fray) with comfortable 3-1, 3-1 & 3-0 victories. Alongside him were other notable names, including 2024 runner up Jake Newlove, Luke Sanges and Ben Davies.
The Last 64 was underway and it wasn’t long before the seeds started to tumble with 12 falling at the first hurdle, although all the favourites made it through to the Last 32 where things started to heat up.
Former Champion I’Anson succumbed to qualifier Anthony Monarch, whilst there were also early baths for Marsh, Cory Rees and the highly fancied Ross Fernie.
Mark Boyle, the clear Pro Number 1 by a country mile finally broke his jinx of never being past the Last 16 in a high quality tussle with Newlove, although his run would come to an end in the ‘quarters’ to a rejuvenated Ben Davies and his wait for a maiden title would extend another year. Farnsworth also ran into an inspired Pete Fisher and lost in a deciding set thriller, but current Champion Hibbott eased into the quarter finals with a 3-0 victory over Adam Griffiths.
Dean Shields, several times a runner up in IPA events impressed in a 3-1 victory over Dunster – could he finally break his duck? Rhodes made an incredible comeback against Hibbott after being almost down and out and took his place in the final after defeating Shields, who’s wait for a first title continues. In the final he would face Ben Davies who took care of an out of sorts Sanges in the semi final with a comfortable 3-0 victory.
And so we had our finalists, and what a final it turned out to be.
It was all Rhodes at the start, as he built a 3-0 lead with some sublime potting and some of the most entertaining pool we have ever seen. Davies was powerless, but in true Champion style, he fought back after the break to close the gap to just 1 set. The sixth set looked set to be going to Davies to force a decider, however an uncharacteristic error gave Rhodes the chance he needed to take victory, which he duly did, to become World Champion alongside the superb trophy, the £15,000 top prize, and a place in the history books.
The Ladies event was also one of the most keenly contested events in recent years, with the established stars taking on those who had eyes on the crown.
Emma Cunningham returned to the IPA ranks, and was an obvious candidate for the favourites tag, with 2 time winner Deb Burchell keen to add to her tally and current title holder Kiera Whitcombe looking to defend the title she won in such dramatic fashion 12 months ago.
There was an early bath for Whitcombe who fell to Emma Reeves in round 1, but the quarter final line up was mainly as expected.
Burchell’s run came to an abrupt end at the hands of Ashleigh O’Neill, who would make her first World final, where she would face Cunningham who saw off the challenge of Tilly Edwards and Kelly Denton in a very tough side of the draw.
The final was of exceptional quality, with both players producing moments of brilliance, alongside the obvious nerves and pressure involved in such a high profile match, but it was Cunningham who held here nerve when it mattered to take the title and be crowned IPA Ladies World Champion. Could it be the first of many?
In the other events, Gareth Hibbott made up for his loss in the Open by claiming the Seniors and Masters titles – an incredible feat in itself bearing in mind the strength of the fields. The Doubles went to Scottish duo Scott Gillespie and Mark McAllister, and the week was brought to a close with the Mixed Doubles, which was won by the formidable duo of Liam Dunster and Emma Cunningham.
A great week for the winners but for all pool lovers around the world, which saw record viewing figures via the IPA YouTube channel.
2026 can’t come soon enough!