Singapore’s Aloysius Yapp has added another major milestone to his stellar run in cue sports. He acheived this by winning the 2026 Yalin WPA Men’s 8-Ball World Championship, defeating Spain’s Francisco Sanchez Ruiz in a high-stakes final.
The 29-year-old emerged victorious after a thrilling championship showdown. He produced a composed and clinical performance on the biggest stage of the sport. The win crowns Yapp as the new world champion in men’s 8-ball. This marks one of the biggest achievements of his career.
The championship triumph comes just months after Yapp wrapped up what was previously described as the “perfect end” to 2025.
Last year, the Singaporean star enjoyed the most prolific season of his career, becoming the first player to win three consecutive Matchroom major titles after victories at the UK Open, Florida Open and US Open. He also ended 2025 as the World Nineball Tour Player of the Year, cementing his place among the sport’s elite.
From Dream Season to World Champion
Yapp had entered 2026 with momentum already firmly on his side. After reflecting on his best-ever season, he said he wanted an even stronger year ahead — and he has now delivered in emphatic fashion.
The world title win is especially significant given the quality of the opponent he faced in the final. Francisco Sanchez Ruiz is widely regarded as one of the top names in professional pool, making Yapp’s victory an even bigger statement.
In a celebratory post announcing the result, tournament organisers said a new world champion had been crowned. They praised Yapp’s precision, composure and ability to deliver under pressure. The victory also reinforces Singapore’s growing presence in international cue sports. And Yapp continues to lead the way on the world stage.
A Title Years in the Making
Yapp has spent the past few years steadily building his reputation through consistency, technical excellence and mental resilience. After openly speaking about the struggles of his 2024 season and the adjustments he made to his equipment and game, his rise since 2025 has been remarkable.
His latest triumph now places him at the very top of the sport. This could be another stepping stone towards his longer-term ambition of capturing even more world honours. For Singapore sports fans, the moment is historic — another homegrown athlete has reached the summit of a global stage.
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