Fefilova Is Victorious In World 10-Ball – Alison Chang

MARGARITA FEFILOVA STYER is the 2026 Banca del Fucino WPA Women’s World 10-Ball Champion as she defeated Philippines’ Chezka Centeno in a tense final match at the Rome Cavalieri Hotel. In a game that came in three parts, the Belarusian player won the opening two sets, before Centeno came back at her to level the match 2-2.

With both players under immense pressure, it was Fefilova who prevailed in the decider winning it 4-0 to take the gold medal, the trophy, the title and the $55,000 winner’s cheque.

Having won two WPA world titles in the last 12 months, Centeno started out as favourite but struggled in the opening stages making uncharacteristic errors as a resolute Fefilova won 4-1 and 4-0 to need one set for victory.

As has been seen on multiple occasions here in Rome, a 2-0 lead is no guarantee of anything and the shoe moved onto the other foot as the speedy Centeno blitzed her way back into contention as she took the third and fourth, 4-1 and 4-0.

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With the match finely poised and a shoot-out looking a possibility, it was the Belarusian who asserted herself as she won a succession of tight and sometimes messy racks to prevail 4-0 and win her first WPA World Championship.

Following the pomp of the presentation ceremony, Fefilova was struggling to take it all in. She said, “I still can’t believe it. Honestly, it’s such a mix of emotions, I feel totally exhausted but I’m also so happy and proud of myself for never giving up. Always keep doing the right thing and grinding and grinding. It’s a crazy mix of emotions and it’s hard to describe how I feel right now. It’s just incredible that all the things I’ve been doing and all the hard work paid off.

Having won some long gruelling matches in the tournament, Margarita was well equipped to deal with a rollercoaster of a match; “I just had to keep reminding myself that in this format anything can happen. It was such a momentum shift, right, so the first two sets I was dominating, I won 4-1, 4-0 and then the momentum completely shifted and she won 4-1, 4-0.

2026 Rome Womens 10-Ball WC - Fefilova celebrations

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“When I went on a time out, I just kept telling myself keep doing the right thing keep sticking with your process and every time I get a chance at the table I have to do 110% on every shot. Try not to think about the score, try not to think that it’s the final of a world championship because all those things can get your mind off what you actually need to do to finish the job. I’m proud of myself for keeping my composure and for this mental toughness.

“I had two bronze medals at world championships, I got close but not close enough so in moments like this when you have heartbreak and tough losses in quarter-finals and semi-finals, you start doubting yourself a little bit, like can I actually do it and now I know I can and it honestly motivates me to work even harder because now I want to get another one.

After a couple of days relaxing in Rome, the champion will be travelling home to Minsk to deliver her gold medal to mum and dad; “It’s probably going to be emotional for my family because my parents used to be my coaches for ten years at the beginning of my career and I always bring my medals back to them. I’m going to keep the trophy for myself and I’m going to bring the gold medal home. They have a little pool room with all my trophies so it will be nice to display this new one there,” she concluded.

2026 Rome Womens 10-Ball WC - Fefilova wins

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