Naoya Kihara Surges to WSOP POY Lead, Eyes Fourth Bracelet in Big O Championship Final
Japan's Naoya Kihara is leading the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Player of the Year (POY) race. As of June 14, he holds 1,665 points, a narrow 19-point lead over Justin Liberto (1,646 points), establishing himself as the most dominant player of the summer WSOP so far. Adding to his impressive run, Kihara has advanced to Day 2 of the Event #42 $10,000 Big O Championship with 405,500 chips, continuing his quest for a fourth bracelet of the series.
Back-to-Back Championships Propel Kihara to POY Lead
Kihara's ascent to the POY lead was fueled by his back-to-back victories in Event #17 $10,000 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball and Event #23 $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship. The more than 1,400 points earned from these wins dramatically shifted the POY landscape. Previously not even a contender, Kihara has rocketed to the top spot following his consecutive championship wins. Defending POY champion Shaun Deeb, who led the race prior to the series based on points from WSOP Europe, has fallen outside the top 5. The POY race is expected to intensify as the series nears its conclusion.
A 44-Year-Old Contemplating Retirement Makes WSOP History This Summer
Kihara revealed that he was seriously considering retirement before heading to Las Vegas this summer. After making history as the first Japanese player to win a WSOP bracelet in 2012, it took him 5,103 days to capture his second. However, he secured his third bracelet just three days later, etching his name into WSOP history once again. Winning two $10,000 Championship events consecutively in the same series marks only the sixth time in WSOP history, following in the footsteps of Doyle Brunson, Stu Ungar, Greg Merson, George Danzer, and Jason Mercier. Immediately after his win, he stated, "I need at least one more bracelet," a promise he is now pursuing in the Big O Championship.
Big O Day 2 Berth, Fourth Bracelet Bid Continues
The $10,000 Big O Championship (Event #42) saw 362 players enter on Day 1, with 132 advancing to Day 2. Kihara enters Day 2 with 405,500 chips, continuing his pursuit of a fourth bracelet. William Kerkaert (500,500) and Chad Eveslage (489,000) are among the chip leaders. Defending champion Veerachai Vongxaiburana was eliminated on Day 1. With the potential to surpass last year's record of 402 entries, the tournament itself is generating significant excitement.
Chenxiang Miao in 6th for POY, Asian Players Show Strong Presence
Sitting in 6th place in the POY race is China's Chenxiang Miao (1,358 points). Miao has climbed the rankings primarily on the strength of his runner-up finish in Event #2 $5,000 8-Handed. The presence of both Kihara (1st) and Miao (6th) in the top 10 of the POY standings highlights the significant impact Asian players are having at this summer's WSOP, extending beyond mere cashes to contend for the overall series title. With more than half of the events remaining, Kihara's potential to clinch the POY award stands as the most compelling storyline of the summer.
Comments
1