2023 WPA World 8-Ball Championship

Results

Recap

Published April 13, 2026

Shane Van Boening won the WPA World 8-Ball Championship, defeating Bosnia Herzegovina’s Sanjin Pehlivanovic 10-7 in the final at Sportpark Klagenfurt in Klagenfurt, Austria from October 17-22, 2023. The American player, already a world champion in 9-ball and holder of over 100 professional titles, earned the $75,000 first prize.

Van Boening, 40, from South Dakota, won his first world championship in 8-ball. Throughout his career, 8-ball has been his preferred discipline, and he added this world title to his previous achievements.

The final matched two elite-level competitors. Pehlivanovic won the Boys U17 division at the 2017 WPA World 9-Ball Championship and has established himself as one of Europe’s top players. Van Boening’s experience and strong play in the race-to-10 format proved decisive in the match.

The championship was part of a week-long pool event in Austria with over 200 competitors competing for $400,000 in total prize money across multiple divisions. The event was broadcast free on Billiard TV and YouTube, with commentary from Tim De Ruyter, Eric Hjorleifson, and former world champion Daryl Peach. Van Boening won the WPA World 9-Ball Championship approximately one year prior to this 8-ball title.

Van Boening continues to compete at the highest levels of professional pool despite his hearing impairment. This 8-ball world championship represents a significant achievement in his career, adding to his collection of major world titles in pool.

Sources: WPA Pool Wikipedia

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