Mika Immonen, Legendary Pool Player “The Iceman,” Dies at 52

Published: September 30, 2025, 14:00 EDT

Mika Immonen, a Finnish pool champion celebrated worldwide as “The Iceman,” has died at 52. Known for his unshakable focus, athletic discipline, and mastery of cue sports, Immonen won the World Nine-Ball Championship in 2001 and the World Ten-Ball Championship in 2009. His death in Manhattan was confirmed by his close friend Alex Masucci, who said the cause was cancer.

A Champion With Steely Composure

Immonen’s nickname, “The Iceman,” reflected both his cold, intimidating demeanor at the table and his ability to thrive under pressure. Jonathan Smith, a professional player at Society Billiards in New York, described him as “a phenomenal shotmaker” who played at a fast pace, making him a daunting opponent.

“He was a phenomenal shotmaker, and he played at a very fast clip, which made playing him even more intimidating,” Smith said.

Despite billiards being seen as less physically demanding than other sports, Immonen believed physical conditioning was crucial. He trained daily, avoided excess carbohydrates, and credited fitness with sharpening his concentration. “Any pool player who didn’t exercise wasn’t trying hard enough,” he often said.

Career-Defining Victories

Immonen achieved worldwide recognition in 2001 when he defeated Ralf Souquet of Germany to win the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) Nine-Ball Championship. Overcome with emotion, he collapsed on the table as the crowd chanted his name.

That victory propelled him into international stardom. “After that, everybody knew me,” Immonen recalled in a 2010 interview. “I was like, ‘What is this? I’m famous.’”

He went on to capture back-to-back U.S. Open Nine-Ball Championships in 2008 and 2009, followed by the WPA Ten-Ball Championship in 2009. In 2016, he added a world straight pool title in New York, defeating his former mentor Earl Strickland, who has often been compared to Michael Jordan for his impact on billiards.

Confidence, Determination, and “The Iceman” Persona

Known for his cold stare, Immonen leaned into his Iceman persona. “They tell me I look mean on TV,” he said in 2006. “But I just say that’s the way I play. It’s serious business.”

His confidence sometimes bordered on arrogance. Following his 2001 world title, the Evening Standard reported that Immonen would answer the phone for days afterward by introducing himself as “Mika Immonen, world champion.”

This mix of confidence, skill, and mental toughness made him one of the most recognizable and respected figures in cue sports.

Early Life and Introduction to Pool

Mika Ilari Immonen was born on December 17, 1972, in London. His parents, Ilkka Immonen, a tailor, and Laura Paloheimo, who studied interior architecture, later divorced, and his mother moved with Mika, his twin brother, and older sister to Helsinki.

At age 15, a new pool hall opened near his home, offering an alternative to outdoor ice hockey in Finland’s harsh winters. There, he and his friends discovered their talent for cue sports, particularly kaisa — a Finnish billiards game with narrow pockets that demanded extreme precision.

“Within a short period of time, I discovered that I had talent,” Immonen recalled in a 2010 interview. By 17, he was already defeating professional players and winning tournaments.

Rising Through Competition

Encouraged by his early success, Immonen entered his first official tournament as a teenager and won — earning a ham as the prize, which he later sold for $100. By 20, he had quit smoking, embraced long-distance running, and began training like an athlete, competing in marathons to build stamina for pool.

“In a sense, you can relate that when you’re playing a game of pool,” he explained. “Sometimes you have doubts, but you keep fighting. That’s endurance.”

This mindset carried him through years of international competition. By the 1990s, Immonen was a rising star on the European and global billiards circuits, admired not only for his technical skill but also for his relentless determination.

Hall of Fame Induction and Legacy

In 2014, Immonen was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame, cementing his status among the greatest players in the sport’s history. His victories and personality helped inspire a new generation of players, particularly in Finland, where he remains one of the country’s most successful international athletes.

Even in his later years, Immonen continued to compete at a high level, frequenting tournaments in New York and beyond. His presence at the table — calm, fast-paced, and intimidating — remained a hallmark of his playing style.

Battle With Cancer

In 2023, while traveling for competitions, Immonen began experiencing severe back pain. A conversation with a doctor friend in Costa Rica led to his cancer diagnosis. He later revealed on the Doggin’ It podcast that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer.

Despite undergoing chemotherapy, he continued to play and exercise whenever possible. Fans often sent him words of encouragement, including “sisu,” a Finnish word meaning resilience and determination.

“It is a word that encapsulates so many things,” Immonen said. “But it’s like this sheer will and determination and never giving up.”

Survivors and Final Years

Immonen is survived by his mother, his partner Emily Elizabeth Blair Kerr Keaty, his sister Rea Paloheimo, and three stepbrothers, Jaakko Nevasto, Mikko Immonen, and Christian Olsen. His twin brother, Kari Jalmari Paloheimo, passed away earlier in 2025.

Until the end, Immonen embodied the spirit of perseverance. “I know it sounds like a cliché,” he said in one of his final interviews, “but when I come back, I am going to be stronger.”

His passing leaves a void in the world of cue sports, where his icy focus, athletic dedication, and indomitable willpower will be remembered for generations.

Source: NYT – Mika Immonen, Champion Pool Player Known as the Iceman, Dies at 52