A World Champion Finds a New Identity

Gorst’s path to the American pool scene began in early 2022, when Russian athletes were banned from global events following the invasion of Ukraine. Though billiards isn’t an Olympic discipline, its international federation followed the IOC’s lead, leaving Gorst abruptly cut off from major tournaments.

Rather than sit out, he fast-tracked a planned move to the United States and resettled in Indiana with fellow pool star Kristina Tkach. It was there that he began rebuilding his career, competing in regional events while acclimating to small-town American life.

“I knew I would take heat from friends back home,” Gorst told CNN Sports. “But it felt natural — everyone here treated me like one of their own.”

By 2023, Gorst had obtained a U.S. green card and received approval from Matchroom Sport — the sport’s largest event organizer — to play under the American flag. The decision was controversial, but it made him eligible for the Mosconi Cup, a high-energy annual showdown between the United States and Europe.

Balancing Politics and Performance

Gorst’s inclusion stirred debate within the pool community. “Technically, it’s kind of farcical,” admitted Mike Panozzo, publisher of Billiards Digest. “But he lives here, he competes here, and he’s built a fan base here. It’s good for the game.”

For a U.S. team long overshadowed by Europe — losing 13 of the last 15 Mosconi Cups — Gorst represented a lifeline. The tournament, held before a raucous crowd of roughly 3,000 fans, contrasts sharply with the quiet atmosphere typical of professional pool events.

His presence gave Team USA instant credibility. “He’s a difference-maker,” said veteran player Jeremy Jones. “When Fedor’s on your side, you’ve got a chance.”

Building a New Brand of Stardom

Beyond the table, Gorst is redefining what it means to be a modern cue sports star. Reserved off-camera but intensely focused in competition, he has cultivated a loyal following online, where more than 700,000 fans watch his match clips, travel vlogs, and behind-the-scenes moments.

He’s also leaned into his American rebranding, selling T-shirts emblazoned with “Stars-Stripes-Strokes” and his nickname “Ghost” integrated into the U.S. flag.

“He used to be super shy,” said U.S. pro Oscar Dominguez. “But now he’s embraced the spotlight. He’s learning to enjoy being a star.”

From Moscow’s Pool Halls to the World Stage

Born in 2000, Gorst’s love for cue sports began with Russian pyramid, a local version of billiards. His father introduced him to the game, but small hands and a tall table led a coach to steer him toward pool instead. By age 10, Gorst was competing; by 14, after his father’s sudden passing, he was determined to turn professional.

He earned international attention after winning the 2017 Junior World 9-Ball Championship and, two years later, the 2019 World Pool Championship in Qatar. In 2020, he represented Europe in the Mosconi Cup — a fact that adds irony to his current role as Team USA’s anchor.

Adapting to American Life and Expectations

When the war in Ukraine began, Gorst was competing in Slovenia. Days later, the IOC’s ban left him stranded. He moved to the U.S. permanently, helping his Ukrainian friend Vitaliy Patsura secure relocation under the U.S. government’s Uniting for Ukraine program.

By the time he returned to elite competition at the 2022 U.S. Open — competing under a neutral flag — Gorst was already considered one of the sport’s top draws. With his green card approved the following year, his switch to Team USA became official. “It was smart for them and for me,” Gorst said.

High Stakes and Hard Lessons

His first Mosconi Cup with Team USA in 2023 ended in disappointment, with Europe winning 11–3 and fans chanting “Not born in the USA!” Yet Gorst rebounded, winning three major titles that season — the World Pool Masters, the World 9-Ball Championship, and the U.S. Open — a feat fans dubbed the “Gorst Slam.”

This year, he reached the U.S. Open final for the third straight year, narrowly losing 13–11 to Singapore’s Aloysius Yapp. Despite the loss, Gorst’s composure and consistency cemented his status as the sport’s top global player.

“He feels more pressure now,” said Scottish player Jayson Shaw. “He’s already played for Europe, and now he’s the face of Team USA. That’s a lot to carry.”

The Economics of Excellence

Professional pool remains a niche pursuit, with limited sponsorship and modest prize money compared to mainstream sports. Only a handful of players earn a living solely from tournaments. For others, coaching, exhibitions, and social media have become crucial income streams.

At the 2024 U.S. Open, 256 competitors vied for a $500,000 prize pool, with $100,000 awarded to the winner. Gorst’s $50,000 runner-up check underscores both the potential and limitations of a sport seeking renewed visibility.

A Sport at a Crossroads

Matchroom Sport is betting big on revitalizing global pool. The company has expanded its events to Asia and the Middle East, including a $1 million partnership with Saudi Arabia for the World 9-Ball Championship. It’s also introduced new team formats, such as the Reyes Cup, designed to attract new fans and corporate sponsors.

“We just try to make pool exciting again,” said Matchroom Multi Sport CEO Emily Frazer. “We’ve got the talent and personalities — now it’s about connecting with casual sports fans.”

Legacy and Motivation

Despite his growing fame, Gorst remains grounded. After a decade of global competition, he says his motivation hasn’t changed. “I have big goals in my career,” he said. “But honestly, financial motivation has always been the biggest driver.”

With each tournament, the Russian-born champion turned American contender continues to reshape what it means to play — and win — for Team USA.

Source: CNN – The unlikely story of how a Russian pool champion became a star of Team USA

The post Fedor Gorst’s Journey: From Russian Champion to Team USA Star appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

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

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