Shiina Okamoto Makes History With Back-to-Back WSOP Ladies Championship Titles
In one of the most remarkable achievements in recent World Series of Poker (WSOP) history, Japan’s Shiina Okamoto has gone back-to-back in the prestigious Ladies Championship. After winning the title in 2024 and placing runner-up the year before, she has now cemented her place in poker history by claiming the crown again at the 2025 WSOP.
Facing an intense final table and starting the day with a dominant chip lead, Okamoto showcased her composure and experience as she overcame 1,368 entrants to win Event #70: $1,000 Ladies Championship, held at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. Her victory earned her a top prize of $184,094 and the admiration of poker fans worldwide.
[Phil Hellmuth congratulated Okamoto following her victory]
What Is the WSOP Ladies Championship?
The $1,000 Ladies No-Limit Hold’em Championship is a long-standing event at the World Series of Poker, designed to encourage and celebrate women in the game. While women-only fields are relatively rare in high-stakes poker, this tournament has grown into a beloved staple of the WSOP schedule—attracting players from all over the world and offering a unique blend of camaraderie, competition, and prestige.
Over the years, it has also become a platform where many new talents emerge and veterans cement their legacies. With its growing field sizes and passionate railbirds, the Ladies Championship has become more than just a tournament—it’s a celebration of women’s poker.
Final Table Results – Event #70: $1,000 Ladies Championship
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Shiina Okamoto (Japan) – $184,094
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Heather Alcorn (United States) – $122,654
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Stephani Hagberg (United States) – $87,695
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Julie Huynh (United States) – $63,517
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Sonia Shashikhina (Russian Federation) – $46,614
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Juliet Hegedus (United States) – $34,667
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Sumire Uenomachi (Japan) – $26,131
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Tanith Rothman (South Africa) – $19,969
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Elisa Nakagawa (United States) – $15,472
Okamoto’s Reflections After the Win
Following her incredible performance, Okamoto shared her thoughts in a post-win interview. Speaking through a translator, she said she always believed she could win—even with the pressure of being the defending champion.
“I really believed I was going to win,” Okamoto said. “I just tried to stay calm, trust my instincts, and not rush anything. The pressure was there, but I focused on playing my best poker.”
Okamoto noted that once play reached the final three, the dynamic shifted. Her earlier reads became less effective as opponents adjusted, forcing her to adapt in real time. “It got tougher when my earlier strategies weren’t working anymore. I had to change gears,” she explained.
A Growing Legacy and Changing Perception
After a runner-up finish followed by two straight wins, Okamoto is now the face of this event. She acknowledged that other players have started targeting her specifically, adjusting their strategies in anticipation of her aggressive play.
“Some players try to trap me now or call lighter thinking I’m bluffing more. But I’ve been able to use that against them,” she said with a smile.
Okamoto also offered advice for aspiring female players, particularly those new to the game: “Most people learn poker from someone else, and it’s important to find the right mentor. That makes a huge difference when you’re just starting out.”
Final Day Highlights
The final day began with a quiet pace, but the action quickly heated up when Sumire Uenomachi (Japan) was the first to fall, running ace-ten into Okamoto’s ace-queen. Okamoto followed with another elimination, winning a coin flip against Juliet Hegedus (United States).
Despite entering the day third in chips, Sonia Shashikhina (Russia) lost a series of pots that left her short-stacked, and she was soon knocked out after running into Julie Huynh’s pocket aces.
A pivotal hand unfolded between Okamoto and Stephani Hagberg (United States), with Okamoto holding two pair against top pair in a huge pot. That swing gave her a chip lead she never lost.
In the final stretch, Okamoto’s flush beat Hagberg’s two pair in a massive cooler, sending Hagberg out in third place and setting the stage for a short heads-up match.
Heads-Up Showdown
Although Heather Alcorn (United States) doubled up in the first hand of heads-up play, her comeback was short-lived. Holding ace-deuce, she shoved into Okamoto’s pocket nines and couldn’t improve, sealing her fate as runner-up for $122,654.
Poker History Made
With this latest title, Shiina Okamoto becomes the first player in WSOP history to win the Ladies Championship in consecutive years. Her back-to-back victory is a rare feat that places her in elite company—not just in women’s poker, but across the entire WSOP landscape.
Her dominance in this event is no coincidence. It’s the result of disciplined play, psychological resilience, and the ability to adapt under pressure—a formula that has now earned her a place in poker’s modern legacy.
