Shiina Okamoto Goes Back to Back at WSOP Ladies Event

A poker player I once knew said, “Winning one time can be luck. Winning back-to-back is skill. But three in a row? That’s a statement.” Shiina Okamoto just made hers loud and clear at the 2025 World Series of Poker. She returned to the Event #70: $1,000 Ladies Championship and did what few thought was possible—she won it again, making it three straight years at the final table and two titles in a row.

Good to know

• Okamoto has earned $474,594 just from this single WSOP event over three years.
• Event #70: $1,000 Ladies Championship drew a record 1,368 entries.
• Heather Alcorn took second place for $122,654, her second-best finish ever.

In 2023, Okamoto came out of nowhere and finished runner-up just behind Tammy Abraham in the biggest field the Ladies Championship had ever seen. She followed it up in 2024 by taking home the bracelet. Fast forward to 2025, and not only did she defend her title, but she also did it with confidence and control from start to finish.

She now owns two WSOP bracelets and has quietly moved her total tournament winnings to over $877,000, with the majority coming from her deep runs in this very event.

How the Final Table Played Out

The final table saw a lot of action, but Okamoto stayed steady. She got off to a great start by knocking out fellow Japanese player Sumire Uenomachi. A little later, she won a big pot against Sonia Shashikhina that helped her regain control. From there, she picked off Juliet Hegedus and Julie Huynh, built her stack even higher, and held a big chip lead by the time only three players remained.

Stephani Hagberg lost a massive hand with two pair to Okamoto’s flush and went out in third. That left Heather Alcorn facing a huge chip deficit in heads-up play. She managed one short-lived double-up, but eventually ran into Okamoto’s pocket nines, which held firm to seal the win.

A Dominant Streak

Across three years, Okamoto has cashed in the Ladies Championship every time, beating fields of 1,295, 1,245, and now 1,368 players. Her latest win paid $184,094, her biggest score yet. While most players dream of just one WSOP bracelet, Okamoto has now taken two from the same event—and almost grabbed a third.

The only question left now is whether anyone can stop her if she shows up again next year.

Final Table Results Event #70: $1,000 Ladies Championship

1. Shiina Okamoto – $184,094
2. Heather Alcorn – $122,654
3. Stephani Hagberg – $87,695
4. Julie Huynh – $63,517
5. Sonia-Veronika Shashikhina – $46,614
6. Juliet Hegedus – $34,667
7. Sumire Uenomachi – $26,131
8. Tanith Rothman – $19,969
9. Elisa Nakagawa – $15,472

The post Shiina Okamoto Goes Back to Back at WSOP Ladies Event appeared first on iGaming.org.