In a thrilling finale to the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) $1,000 Ladies Championship, Shiina Okamoto cemented her place in poker history by winning the prestigious event for the second consecutive year. With only seven players remaining when the final day began, Okamoto, who had already made three straight final table appearances, was poised to become one of the few players ever to win the same WSOP event back-to-back.
Okamoto’s Quest for Consecutive Victory: A Show of Dominance
Entering the final table with the chip lead, Okamoto was the clear favorite to claim the title once again. However, she faced tough competition from a skilled group of players, including Juliet Hegedus, Stephani Hagberg, Sonia Shashikhina, Heather Alcorn, Julie Huynh, and Sumire Uenomachi. As the defending champion, Okamoto knew the pressure was on, but her experience and chip advantage gave her the edge.
Okamoto shared her determination to defend her title: “Now so many of the ladies know me, and I know what they are thinking about me. I can use that to exploit them. That’s what’s helped me get so far.”
The action began with a series of aggressive plays, and Okamoto was quick to assert her dominance. The first elimination of the day came courtesy of Okamoto, who eliminated Uenomachi in seventh place after calling an all-in with a dominating ace-high hand. Okamoto’s early knockout set the tone for what was to come.
Okamoto’s Rise to Poker Stardom
Okamoto’s meteoric rise through the poker ranks has been nothing short of extraordinary. After a breakout performance as the runner-up in the 2023 Ladies Championship, which set a record for the event’s largest-ever turnout (1,295 entries), Okamoto returned in 2024 to claim her first WSOP bracelet by outlasting 1,245 players. But it was the 2025 edition that would see her take her game to even greater heights.
This year’s tournament saw a record field of 1,368 players, and despite the growing competition, Okamoto demonstrated unmatched skill and composure throughout the event. She not only defended her title but did so with commanding confidence, ultimately securing a new career-best score of $184,094, bringing her total earnings from this event over the past three years to an astounding $474,594.
Record-Breaking Turnout and Early Action
The 2025 Ladies Championship drew an impressive field, creating a prize pool of $1,203,840. As the final day began, Okamoto was once again in the driver’s seat, starting with the chip lead among the remaining seven players. However, the competition was fierce, with players like Heather Alcorn, Stephani Hagberg, and Julie Huynh among those making deep runs. Early on, Okamoto faced a setback after attempting a bluff against Sonia Shashikhina’s trip aces, which cost her some chips. Still, she quickly regained her footing and began picking off her opponents one by one.
Okamoto’s Clutch Performances and Key Eliminations
Okamoto’s first key elimination came in seventh place, when Sumire Uenomachi moved all-in with A♥10♦, only to be dominated by Okamoto’s A♣Q♣. The board ran out in Okamoto’s favor, sending Uenomachi to the rail and giving Okamoto the momentum she needed to continue her ascent.
The action didn’t slow down from there. In a dramatic hand with Shashikhina, Okamoto won a large pot with top pair of jacks after a well-timed call, increasing her chip stack and further solidifying her lead. A short while later, Hegedus’s attempt to make a stand with 4♦4♣ ended in defeat, as Okamoto’s A♥6♥ made a pair of sixes to knock Hegedus out in sixth place.
Okamoto Closes the Deal in Dominant Fashion
The heads-up battle saw Okamoto enter with a massive chip advantage—25,100,000 to Alcorn’s 2,275,000. Despite Alcorn’s early double-up, Okamoto’s experience and composure prevailed. In the final hand, Alcorn was all-in with A♦2♠ against Okamoto’s 9♠9♣. The board ran out K♣10♠3♥J♥3♣, and Okamoto’s pocket nines held, giving her the victory and making her the first player in WSOP history to win back-to-back Ladies Championships.
Final Table Results
- 1st Place: Shiina Okamoto – $184,094
- 2nd Place: Heather Alcorn – $122,654
- 3rd Place: Stephani Hagberg – $87,695
- 4th Place: Julie Huynh – $63,517
- 5th Place: Sonia Shashikhina – $46,614
- 6th Place: Juliet Hegedus – $34,667
- 7th Place: Sumire Uenomachi – $26,131
Shiina Okamoto’s Legacy Continues
Okamoto’s success in the 2025 WSOP Ladies Championship represents not only a personal triumph but a new chapter in the history of women in poker. With her back-to-back victories, she has become a household name in the poker world, inspiring future generations of female players. Her total tournament earnings now stand at $877,201, with a remarkable $474,594 coming solely from the Ladies Championship event.
Her dominance at the WSOP over the past three years is a testament to her consistency, skill, and ability to perform under pressure. Okamoto’s poker journey is far from over, and fans and fellow competitors alike will be watching closely as she continues to chase even more success in the world of poker.
FAQs
- How many entered the 2025 Ladies Championship?
The 2025 Ladies Championship set a new participation record with 1,368 entries, surpassing previous years’ records and becoming one of the most significant women’s poker events in WSOP history.
- How much did Okamoto win for her win?
Shiina Okamoto collected 184,094 for her triumph in the 2025 WSOP Ladies Championship, her second straight in this prestigious competition.
- How many consecutive victories has Okamoto registered in the Ladies Championship?
Okamoto becomes the second woman to win two consecutive Ladies Championship titles, winning the event in both 2024 and 2025.
- Where else has Okamoto been placed?
Okamoto’s best non-Ladies Championship finish came in the Red Dragon Poker Tour Jeju $1,110 event, which she took down for $64,564, after eliminating 356 players.
- How much has Okamoto made at the Ladies Championship the past three years?
At the same time, Okamoto has earned $474,594 in the Ladies Championship, which represents a significant portion of her overall tournament earnings of $877,201.
Image Source: Shiina Okamoto X Account
