2004 WPA World 8-Ball Championship

Results

Recap

Published April 13, 2026

In the luxurious setting of Fujairah’s Meridien Hotel, Efren Reyes, known as The Magician, won the inaugural WPA World 8-Ball Championship. The Filipino player defeated fellow countryman Marlon Manalo 11-8 in the final.

The championship match saw Manalo take an early 4-0 lead. Reyes then won eight consecutive racks to go ahead 8-4. Reyes won the remaining racks to secure the title 11-8.

This victory made Reyes the first-ever WPA World 8-Ball Champion. He had previously won the 9-ball world title in 1999. The $20,000 first prize reflected the historic significance of the achievement.

The tournament, held from September 25 to October 1, 2004, featured an international field with $71,200 in total prize money. Notable Filipino players Alex Pagulayan and Francisco Bustamante both reached the semifinals. European representatives Marcus Chamat, Michael Schmidt, and Niels Feijen also finished in the top eight.

The championship was held at the Meridien Hotel in Fujairah, which offered world-class amenities and beach access. The venue impressed players and officials, with organizers planning to hold future editions of the event.

Sources: WPA Pool World Champions

This recap was compiled from public tournament records and tournament organizer communications. ForceFollow is not affiliated with the tournament organizer.