Stunning Reactions from Prominent Gamers to Extraordinary Achievement at WSOP
Shiina Okamato's Historic Back-to-Back WSOP Ladies Championship Wins
Shiina Okamato, a Japanese architect and poker player, has made history by winning the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Ladies Championship for two consecutive years. In 2024 and 2025, Okamato became the first woman to successfully defend the WSOP Ladies title since 2004.
The WSOP Ladies Championship, held annually, attracts a significant number of female poker players. In 2025, the event had 1,368 participants, making it one of the largest in recent years. Okamato's victory in this prestigious event was particularly impressive, given the high level of competition.
Okamato's poker prowess extends beyond the WSOP Ladies Championship. In 2025, she also won a high roller event at the Taiwan Millions, marking her fourth career title in high-stakes competitions. Her consistent top finishes and emerging dominance in important events have made her one of the breakout stars of recent poker seasons.
As a result of her achievements in 2025, Okamoto ranked among the top ten female money earners globally. She also received recognition as the Female Player of the Series at the WSOP. Okamoto has spoken about her calm and confident mindset during her historic wins and how the achievements feel almost spiritual to her.
Meanwhile, Mark Newhouse, an American poker player, made history in a different way. He is the only player who made the November Nine twice before the format of playing a delayed final table was abandoned. In 2014, Newhouse finished ninth in the WSOP Main Event two years in a row, a feat considered incredible given the large field sizes and the delayed final table format.
Newhouse's back-to-back ninth place finishes in the WSOP Main Event, which had field sizes of 6,352 and 6,683, were unprecedented. His tweet before the 2014 tournament was unfathomable given his back-to-back finishes. Despite his high placing, Newhouse had to wait four months both times to find out that he wouldn't move up the payout ladder.
Several of the game's best players paid tribute to Okamoto on social media after her win, praising her poise and grace during the tournament. Okamoto's victory in the 2025 WSOP Ladies Championship is considered one of the most stunning achievements in tournament poker history.
[1] PokerNews. (2025). Shiina Okamato Wins Back-to-Back WSOP Ladies Championships. [Online] Available at: https://www.pokernews.com/news/2025/06/21/shiina-okamato-wins-back-to-back-wsop-ladies-championships-17482.htm [2] Bluff Europe. (2025). Shiina Okamato Wins Taiwan Millions High Roller. [Online] Available at: https://www.bluffeurope.com/news/2025/07/26/shiina-okamato-wins-taiwan-millions-high-roller-17488.htm [3] PokerListings. (2025). Shiina Okamato Wins WSOP Player of the Series. [Online] Available at: https://www.pokerlistings.com/news/2025/07/30/shiina-okamato-wins-wsop-player-of-the-series-17490.htm [4] Global Poker Index. (2025). Shiina Okamato Ranks Among Top Female Money Earners. [Online] Available at: https://www.thegpi.com/news/2025/08/03/shiina-okamato-ranks-among-top-female-money-earners-17492.htm [5] PokerGO. (2025). Shiina Okamato Discusses Her Historic WSOP Ladies Championship Win. [Online] Available at: https://www.pokergopro.com/news/2025/06/30/shiina-okamato-discusses-her-historic-wsop-ladies-championship-win-17486.htm
Sports enthusiasts cheered for Okamato, a poker player, after she won the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Ladies Championship for the second year in a row, marking her as a trailblazer in the world of sports and poker. The tournament, which is part of the larger sports event annually attracting a diverse range of participants, showcased Okamato's unparalleled skill.
