Few players have surged through the sport’s modern era with the same blend of dominance, discipline, and versatility as Fedor Gorst.
Still only 24, Gorst has already carved out a legacy that includes the sport’s most prestigious titles and a reputation for fearless, clinical performances under pressure. As he returns to the glorious stage in the Kingdom to defend his crown, Gorst finds himself not only as the man to beat, but as a benchmark for excellence in today’s game.
Returning to the World Pool Championship, now as defending champion, Fedor Gorst’s mindset is a mixture of quiet confidence and grounded focus. “It honestly feels great to come back,” he says, “It’s the biggest tournament of the year. I haven’t played much this year due to a little injury, but now I’m back at it—practising hard, spending as much time on the table as I can. The next few weeks are all about getting myself back to my best form.”
Gorst’s 2024 triumph wasn’t just another major title—it cemented him in the history books as the youngest player ever to win multiple World Pool Championship crowns. Yet for all the records and accolades, he remains refreshingly unbothered by the numbers.
©Taka Wu/Matchroom Multi Sport
“I try not to focus on records or rankings,” he states. “It’s not something I think about when I’m playing. But it did mean a lot. My first world title came in 2019—it had been five years. You never know which tournament you’re going to win, and I never go in with an obsession over one particular title. But obviously, I really wanted to win that one.”
It wasn’t a straightforward route to glory, either. Gorst had to battle from behind in several matches, including a final that went the distance against Eklent Kaçi. “The whole week was a grind. A lot of hill-hill matches. Honestly, luck was on my side more than once. In matches that tight, you need a few rolls to go your way. I’m just glad it did. That win, along with the World Pool Masters and the US Open titles—it gave me a huge boost. Looking back, it’s almost ridiculous.”
The scale of his 2024 win dwarfed his first world title. “It was completely different to 2019. Back then, we played in Qatar in what was essentially a practice room. No crowd. No shot clock. The final lasted five hours. It didn’t feel like a world championship, even though it meant a lot to win it. But the 2024 version—what a contrast. Record-breaking prize money, a world-class venue in Jeddah, a VIP lounge, a players’ lounge… everything felt big. It felt like a real major.”
For a player still only 24, Gorst’s sense of calm under pressure is one of his most defining traits. When asked what’s changed most in his game over the years, his answer reveals a broader transformation: “More than anything, I’ve just had more experience—at the top level and in life. Since 2019, everything has changed. I live in a different country now, play with different equipment, have a totally different routine. I’ve gone from playing a few tournaments a year to travelling constantly. My life has flipped upside down 25 times. But all of that makes you stronger—not just as a player, but as a person.”
His global travels have shaped his game just as much as his mindset. “You have to play the best to become the best. Going to different countries, playing under different conditions—it teaches you so much. Every venue is different. Temperatures, table speed, ball behaviour—it all changes. Sometimes, you don’t have time to adjust during a tournament, so the more you’ve experienced, the faster you can adapt. That’s what helps you win.”
Now, the opportunity to join Earl Strickland as a three-time world champion is within reach. “It’s hard to say what it would mean, but it would be special. One day, it’d be nice to tell my grandkids, ‘Hey, your grandpa was a three-time world champion.’ To be mentioned alongside legends like Earl Strickland or even Efren Reyes—it would mean a lot.
In 2024, Gorst completed what many fans have dubbed the “Gorst Slam,” becoming the first player to hold the World Pool Masters, US Open, and World Pool Championship titles at the same time.
“Each of those tournaments was so different. The Masters was a surprise—I struggled early on, trying to find my rhythm match by match. But by the final, I clicked. What was consistent, though, was how hard I worked through every match, every rack. It reminded me that you don’t need to be perfect to win—you just need to keep going.”
He continues: “The Championships and Masters gave me confidence. So, by the time the US Open came around, I felt ready. Even when I lost a rack or sat out for half an hour, I still felt in control. It really changed how I think at the table.”
Despite such high-level success, Gorst is quick to acknowledge the importance of patience—especially for rising players looking to follow in his footsteps. “The juniors coming through—they’re so hungry. I see myself in them when I was 18 or 19. That drive is hard to match. But the hardest part isn’t the talent—it’s dealing with failure. Learning to lose. That’s where the growth comes from. You need to fail a hundred times before you win. My best advice is: accept the mistakes, accept the losses, and use them to get better. It’s okay to fail. That’s how you learn.”
As the World Pool Championship returns to the Green Halls of Jeddah, Gorst remains grounded, ready, and laser-focused on the task ahead. “Thank you to everyone who supports me—and even to those who don’t,” he says with a grin. “Whether you’re cheering me on or rooting against me, I appreciate you watching. I hope you enjoy the ride—and hopefully, I’ll get to lift that trophy one more time.”