Green Bay, Wisconsin – July 6, 2025
The final 8-ball rolled slowly, suspensefully, almost defiantly—then dropped. The crowd erupted. Jasmin Ouschan collapsed in joy, eyes wide, heart full. The world had just witnessed the crowning of the first-ever Women’s 8-Ball World Champion.
After five days of elite-level competition, it was Jasmin Ouschan of Austria who emerged victorious at the 2025 ONEIDA WPA Women’s 8-Ball World Championship, hosted at the Oneida Casino & Hotel in Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA.
A Title 15 Years in the Making
Jasmin, already a global icon and former 10-ball World Champion, claimed her second world title after a decade and a half of chasing it.
“It took me 15 years to get to this spot,” she said through tears in her post-match interview. “I didn’t think I would ever achieve it—especially after getting so close and falling short in the past.”
Her opponent in the finals was none other than Chezka “The Flash” Centeno of the Philippines, known for her lightning-fast runouts and recent 10-ball World title in 2023. The match went the distance—9–8 in a hill-hill thriller that has already been declared one of the most exciting finals in cue sports history.
A Championship Powered by the Oneida Nation
This historic event would not have been possible without the generosity, leadership, and cultural pride of the Oneida Nation, whose hotel and casino served as host site and major sponsor. Oneida contributed significantly to the added prize fund and provided the perfect setting for both professional competition and community celebration.
Presented by Pechauer, Backed by the Best
J. Pechauer Custom Cues, the event’s Presenting Sponsor, played a vital role in securing local partnerships and ensuring a first-class experience for the athletes—including a fully furnished Player’s Lounge with couches, tables, and food directly adjacent to the backstage practice area. Their dedication to both the sport and the players was evident throughout the week.
A Rich Prize Pool
With a $150,600 prize pool, the 2025 World Championship became one of the more lucrative women’s tournaments ever held. The top 24 finishers shared in the winnings:
🥇 1st Place – Jasmin Ouschan (Austria) – $30,000
🥈 2nd – Chezka Centeno (Philippines) – $18,600
🥉 3rd – Margarita Fefilova (Belarus/Wisconsin) – $13,000
🥉 3rd – Chia-Hua “Amber” Chen (Taiwan) – $13,000
5th–8th – $8,000 each
Kristina Tkach
Meng-Hsia Hung
Tzu-Chien Wei
Kristina Zlateva
9th–16th – $4,000 each
Pia Filler
Ana Gradisnik
Chieh-Yu Chou
Chihiro Kawahara
Samia Konishi
Seo Seoa
Shui Ching Chiang
Kelly Fisher
17th–24th – $1,500 each
Sofia Mast
Jordan Helfery
Ashley Benoit
Yuki Hiraguchi
April Larson
Nguyen Bich Tram
Wan-Ling Wang
Nina Torvund
The Local Hero: Margarita Fefilova
One of the biggest stories of the tournament came from just down the road. Margarita Fefilova, originally from Belarus and now living in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, had the crowd roaring all week. She stunned the field with a win over World #1 Kristina Tkach and made a powerful run to the semifinals. Her husband—himself a top U.S. pool pro—was one of many fans cheering her every shot.
The Youngest Star: Jordan Helfery, Age 13
Perhaps no player captured hearts like 13-year-old Jordan Helfery, the youngest competitor in the field. A self-taught prodigy who learned pool on a borrowed table during the COVID pandemic after her toys were destroyed in a flood, Jordan shocked the world by remaining undefeated after two full days of play. She made history and inspired a new generation of fans.
Olhausen Billiards: Raising the Bar
Olhausen Billiards, America’s premier table manufacturer, stepped up in a monumental way to support this historic championship.
For the first time ever, Olhausen unveiled its brand-new 9-foot tournament tables, handcrafted in Tennessee and delivered specifically for this world championship. These pristine tables became the playing surface for the highest level of women’s 8-ball the world has ever seen—earning rave reviews from players and fans alike. But their commitment didn’t stop there.
Olhausen also brought four 7-foot tables to Lambeau Field for the official Youth Clinic, allowing kids and aspiring players to learn the game from pros on the same trusted surface used by champions.
To top it all off, Olhausen gave away a brand-new 7-foot table to one lucky fan in a special on-site raffle—giving the spirit of the championship a new home somewhere in America.
“Whether it’s in a family game room or on the world championship stage, our mission has always been to support the love of the game,” said Dan Bourget, Owner of Olhausen Billiards.
Their craftsmanship, generosity, and vision helped bring this world championship to life.
Global Reach and Broadcast Glory
Finals day was completely sold out. VIP sections were overflowing, extra seats were added, and not a single person blinked during that last 8-ball. The match streamed for free via WPBABilliards on YouTube and on Billiard TV, reaching millions across Samsung TV, LG, Roku, and Amazon Prime Live Sports. Austrian national TV even requested rights to simulcast the semis and finals.
A Community Tribute: The Roy Skenandore Memorial
Running alongside the pro championship was a $20,000-added amateur event: the Roy Skenandore Memorial Tournament. Roy, a beloved member of the Oneida Nation and passionate pool player, passed away recently. His son Ray Skenandore spoke at the opening ceremony at Lambeau Field, and players signed a tribute mural throughout the week. Roy’s wife, Alice Skenandore, a founder of the Wise Women Gathering Place—a nonprofit serving victims of violence and historical trauma—was in attendance, and the spirit of Roy was felt everywhere throughout the event.
🧡 Learn more about their legacy: wisewomengp.org/about-us
Hill-Hill Battles & Endless Drama
This event wasn’t just historic—it was dramatic. A total of 11 hill-hill matches thrilled the crowd from Day 1 to the Final. Players like Kristina Tkach, Tzu-Chien Wei, Margarita Fefilova, and Shui-Ching Chiang were part of multiple matches that went down to the final ball. It was a tournament of nerves, steel, and shot-for-shot brilliance.
A Defining Moment for Women’s Billiards and Sports
With professional production, national news coverage, three TV stations, photographers, videographers, and media from across the industry—this was more than a tournament. It was a global declaration: women’s cue sports deserve the spotlight.
The Women’s Professional Billiards Association (WPBA) pulled off this event with only the backing of our incredible sponsors, passionate fans, and unstoppable players.
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
Title Sponsor:
* Oneida Casino & Hotel
Presenting Sponsor:
* J. Pechauer Custom Cues
Featured Sponsors:
* Olhausen Billiards
* Taom
Official Sponsors:
Simonis Cloth
Aramith Billiard Balls
Littman Lights
Fort Worth Billiards Superstore
Corporate Sponsors (Level 1):
Blatt Billiards
Signarama
Atlas Billiard Supply
Dr. Pool Promotions
Corporate Sponsors (Level 2):
Nicolet National Bank
Hager, Dewick & Zuengler, S.C.
Comfort Pro Insulators
Super Shot Billiards
Wise Women Gathering Place
Billiard TV
ELS Limo
Digital Pool
Wisconsin Billiard Hall of Fame
Billiard Congress of America
Jam Up Apparel
Curb Impressions
5G Benefits
ABC Financial
The world came to Wisconsin, and the world left changed.
This was more than a championship—it was the start of something far greater.
The 8-ball has spoken.
By Jerry Stuckart, WPBA Technical Director
Photos ©Erwin Dionisio