Anigons of Osaka, Japan, defeated Racks On the Rocks of Peoria, Ill., in the finals of the 2018 APA 9-Ball World Championship. The victory earned Anigons $15,000 in 1st Place prize money, while Racks On the Rocks took home $7,000 as Runners-Up.
Anigons ousted Play With Caution of Louisville, Ky., in the semifinals while Racks On the Rocks defeated By Any Means of Philadelphia, Pa. Play With Caution and By Any Means each received $3,500 in prize money for making to the final day of competition.
Anigons were also presented the Sportsmanship Award in the 9-Ball division.
A record 500 teams competed in this year’s 9-Ball World Championship.
Champion: Anigons of Osaka, Japan
Front Row (L to R): Kayo Yonezawa, Kana Shinohara, Saki Matsuda, Hiroki Matsuda; Back Row (L to R): Takaaki Yukimoto, Yoshiteru Yonezawa, Iwao Setoyama, Daiji Miyashita
Runner Up: Racks on the Rocks of Peoria, IL
Front Row (L to R): Dawn McCullar, Dawn Michelsen, Bob Vallas, Lisa Blunck; Back Row (L to R): Mike Blunk, Cameron Blunck, Greg Myers, Bill Gregg
3rd Place: By Any Means of Philadelphia, PA
Front Row (L to R): Kamori White, Alicia Ferguson, Charles Jones, Anthony Postell; Back Row (L to R): Troi Palmer, Naasr Browne, Suwah Barquoi, Jerome Rumph (not pictured)
3rd Place: Play With Caution of Louisville, KY
Front Row (L to R): Elizabeth Callaway, Katherine McGaughey, Steven McGaughey, Ray Eisenback; Back Row (L to R): Henry Miller, David Callaway, Bruce Fitzgerald
Sportsmanship Winner: Anigons of Osaka, Japan
Front Row (L to R): Kayo Yonezawa, Kana Shinohara, Saki Matsuda, Hiroki Matsuda; Back Row (L to R): Yoshiteru Yonezawa, Iwao Setoyama, Takaak Yukimoto, Daiji Miyashita