2012 WPA World 9-Ball Championship

Results

Recap

Published April 13, 2026

In Doha, Qatar, England’s Darren Dynamite Appleton won his first world 9-ball championship, defeating China’s Li Hewen 13-12 in the final. The 36-year-old from Pontefract claimed the $40,000 prize after competing against 128 players.

Appleton advanced through the round of 32 against New Zealand’s Matthew Edwards, winning 11-10. In that deciding rack, Edwards failed to secure the table, giving Appleton the opportunity to complete his run and advance to the semifinals.

In the semifinals, Appleton defeated Japan’s Naoyuki Ohi, 29, from Osaka, to reach the final. Li Hewen also advanced to the championship match by defeating German player Ralf Souquet.

The final was a race-to-13 alternate-break match that went the full distance. Li, 30, competed closely with Appleton throughout. The tournament took place at the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation, where defending champion Yukio Akakariyama was eliminated earlier in the bracket.

The victory marked Appleton’s second world championship title. He previously won the inaugural 10-ball world championship in 2008, making him a dual world champion. The win came after years of competition at the professional level.

Sources: WPA Pool Wikipedia

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