![Tian Zhi Kong stands on stage celebrating his Gods of Poker Main Event Championship victory.](https://content.godsofpoker.com/54981568124_c346433682_k_c9e29468d5.jpg) ###### Tian Zhi Kong - GOP Main Event champion China's **Tian Zhi Kong** wasn't in radar at the start of the final day, entering the final 12 lineup as a clear underdog among a field stacked with established pros. Wedged in the middle of the pack, Kong quietly climbed the ranks, then defeated **Li Yin** at heads up to become the first-ever **Gods of Poker Main Event** champion, earning him the right to hoist the **Black-and-Gold Gauntlet.** Along with the glory, and trophy, Kong locked up the largest payout deal of KR₩ 187,290,000 (~USD 127,000).

Final 9 Payouts
1	Tian Zhi Kong	187,290,000	$128,000
2	Li Yin	111,270,000	$75,591
3	Meng Ling Lin	112,780,000	$76,617
4	Kazuki Okamoto	60,530,000	$41,121
5	Elmer Kalaquian	45,990,000	$31,243
6	Peng Deng	36,240,000	$24,620
7	Czardy Rivera	29,370,000	$19,952
8	Jia Xin Wang	24,340,000	$16,535
9	Joshua Figuerres	20,550,000	$13,961

## Event Recap The **Gods of Poker Main Event** took place from December 8–13, 2025 at **LES A Casino,** anchored by a bold KR₩ 1,000,000,000 (~USD 700,000) prize pool. Debuting the brand’s signature Cronus Structure, the tournament drew 481 entries across four starting flights, with strong representation from China, Taiwan, and Japan, all eager to put the new format to the test. When the final flight closed, just 67 players remained in the money. And after another day of eliminations, only 12 returned on the final day. In just under 1.5 hours of play, **Tao Wei Chang, Dongying Ling,** and **Jiang Wang** all fell to miss their chance at a coveted final table seat. ![Group of poker players at the Gods of Poker Final Table with a trophy.](https://content.godsofpoker.com/54981265935_cfcb57be55_k_ee182203c3.jpg) Final table action was fierce with raises at nearly every deal This led to the first elimination with **Joshua Figuerres** walking away on a [brutal bad beat](https://godsofpoker.com/event/421d693d-88b9-493c-8f24-2b120bc5da4b/live-reports#unnmdyk06z2a2g3i7rna1wnb). Short stacked **Jia Xin Wang** was bounced out next when [Meng Ling Lin's rags](https://godsofpoker.com/event/421d693d-88b9-493c-8f24-2b120bc5da4b/live-reports#pkyh4m92qs969vpw1pbte2oy) improved to outdraw his better opening hand. **Czardy Rivera** started the day at the bottom of the counts and laddered up to secure a seat at the final table. His [run ended in 7th place](https://godsofpoker.com/event/421d693d-88b9-493c-8f24-2b120bc5da4b/live-reports#lf872rpv25dxsj0ezx6qybhh) with **Peng Deng** ahead all throughout. Despite Deng's boost in chips, he met the rail next in 6th place, falling to Lin's [straight on the flop](https://godsofpoker.com/event/421d693d-88b9-493c-8f24-2b120bc5da4b/live-reports#okany899pfhrwg0roztuqryl). [Flipping into 5th place](https://godsofpoker.com/event/421d693d-88b9-493c-8f24-2b120bc5da4b/live-reports#xclldz55s6lkjyuintuqauh8) was **Elmer Kalaquian,** his bust out ended all hope of a Filipino champion. Four-handed saw the rise of Kong and the crash of Okamoto in 4th place. As one of the most aggressive players of the final day, Okamoto's run ended [on a cooler](https://godsofpoker.com/event/421d693d-88b9-493c-8f24-2b120bc5da4b/live-reports#sa4l6nfk5xydy97n4nalhqwj) against Yin. ![Poker players focused during a tournament at a branded table with cards and chips.](https://content.godsofpoker.com/54981346428_652a120973_k_c1ff83c80d.jpg) ###### Final three players The final three battle was action-packed leading to Kong stealing the top spot for the first time. The players eventually struck an ICM deal then played for additional cash and all the laurels that came with the inaugural title. Lin was stopped by Yin in 3rd place with his [kicker in play](https://godsofpoker.com/event/421d693d-88b9-493c-8f24-2b120bc5da4b/live-reports#l0urarnylpd4esl8gz7u1kt2) to establish heads up. Yin started off with 70 big blinds to Kong's 15 big blinds. After Kong landed two double ups, Yin's stack plunged to just 3 big blinds then [lost it all on the next hand](https://godsofpoker.com/event/421d693d-88b9-493c-8f24-2b120bc5da4b/live-reports#usuplok1jw5g24d5mwzzn3n2) to finish in 2nd place. Congratulations to **Tian Zhi Kong** for his triumph at the Main Event! Lin

Player	Stack
Dongying Ling	1,870,000
Czardy Rivera	470,000

GOP Main Event - FINAL DAY

Short Stacks Battle, Ling Survives