APT Manila Poker Classic 2025: Ivan Govorov Champions Record-Breaking Main Event, Avinash Tauro`s Final Day Victory Wraps Up Team India’s Remarkable Campaign

The Asian Poker Tour (APT) kicked off its 2025 season with an absolute bang, delivering a record-breaking spectacle in Manila! The APT Manila Poker Classic 2025 not only lived up to the hype but soared past expectations, becoming the largest and most lucrative APT series ever held in the Philippines. With staggering participation numbers and jaw-dropping prize pools, this festival cemented the growing legacy of the New Era APT stops!

Held in partnership with the Metro Card Club at the opulent Grand Ballroom of Crowne Plaza Galleria, this ten-day poker extravaganza attracted 1,268 unique entries from 54 countries and regions. The turnouts were phenomenal, with a mind-boggling 8,406 total entries across 97 trophy events, generating a colossal ₱350,124,235 (~$6,015,880) in prize money.

The festival wasn’t just about big numbers; it was about shattering records. Thirteen tour country records were broken in both field size and prize pools, solidifying APT Manila Classic 2025’s place in poker history.

The first APT festival of 2025 kicks off with record-breaking numbers as #APTManilaClassic2025 becomes the tour’s largest and richest series ever in the Philippines!🔥
In partnership with @Metro_Card_Club, the ten-day festival welcomed 1,268 unique players from 54 countries and… pic.twitter.com/iw4CF4nnep

— Asian Poker Tour (@AsianPokerTour) February 16, 2025

Main Event Madness: Russia’s Ivan Govorov Seizes the Crown

The centerpiece of the festival, the ₱60K APT Main Event, was a record-breaker in its own right, attracting a colossal 1,202 total entries (673 unique) from 47 countries and regions. The action unfolded over five intense days, with a jaw-dropping ₱61.60 million (~$1.05 Million) prize pool up for grabs, making it the largest APT Main Event ever held in the Philippines.

When the chips fell silent, Russia’s Ivan Govorov stood tall. He outlasted the stacked field to capture the prestigious 24K Gold Lion APT Main Event Trophy and a princely payday of ₱11.07 Million (~$190,201) —the third-largest single prize awarded at the festival.

Ivan Govorov clinches the #APTManilaClassic2025 Main Event, overcoming a 3-big-blind stack to claim victory. Watch how he made an incredible comeback! #poker #pokertournament pic.twitter.com/T1zm11MWSZ

— Asian Poker Tour (@AsianPokerTour) February 16, 2025

Other Record-Breaking Events

While the Main Event stole the spotlight, several other featured tournaments delivered epic showdowns and set new APT tour country records. Some of the standout events included Event #21: ₱600K APT Super High Roller, Event #42: ₱300K Baby Superstar Challenge, Event #63: ₱1.50 Million Superstar Challenge, Event #64: ₱15K Zodiac Classic – Sponsored by Natural8, Event #71: ₱25K Mini Main Event, and Event #92: ₱12K Micro Main Event.

Each of these events drew record-breaking fields and featured elite-level competition, reaffirming the APT Manila Classic as a must-attend poker event in the region.

Team India: A Force Unleashed

Team India didn’t just show up; they showed out! With a staggering 53 cashes totalling ₱11.177 million (~₹1.67 crores), they painted Manila with the colours of Indian poker dominance. Thirty final table appearances, six APT trophies (including an India-exclusive victory) – this was a performance that screamed, “We’re here to stay!”

At the forefront of this Indian invasion was Kunal Patni, the Natural8 India Executive Director and Ambassador. This poker veteran was on fire, racking up four deep runs, including back-to-back victories in the ₱20K Mystery Bounty Hunter and the ₱150K Single Day High Roller. With ₱4.29 Million (~₹64.51 lakhs) in series winnings, Patni wasn’t just playing poker; he was conducting a masterclass in high-stakes domination, emerging as the undisputed king of the Indian contingent at the festival.

Avinash Tauro’s Breakthrough: Maiden Live Title Victory!

The festival’s final day saw India claim its sixth title, courtesy of seasoned live circuit grinder Avinash Tauro. Competing in Event #99: ₱9K Hyper Turbo, Tauro toppled a 39-entry field (35 unique) to seize his first-ever live title, a victory that came with a ₱1,08,155 (~₹1.62 Lakhs) prize and a wave of emotions.

Tauro has been a fixture on the live tournament circuit for over ten years, with numerous final table finishes to his name (most of them in Goa), many of them bringing in bigger paydays than this one. But this victory was different. This was a breakthrough, a validation of his skills and dedication, made even sweeter by the fact that it happened on the international stage. This win is not just a line on Tauro’s poker resume; it’s a defining moment in his poker journey!

APT Manila Poker Classic List of Winners

Team India Scores at APT Manila Poker Classic

Ivan Govorov Storms to Victory in Record-Breaking APT Manila Classic 2025 Main Event (₱11.07 Million)

The penultimate day of the APT Manila Classic 2025 was one for the books, filled with dramatic twists, stunning comebacks, and high-stakes poker action that will be remembered for years!

The spotlight shone brightest on the ₱60,000 (~$1,030) Main Event, which shattered records by attracting 1,202 entries, making it the largest-ever APT Main Event in the Philippines and the fourth-largest in the tour’s illustrious 18-year history. With a staggering ₱62,311,680 (~$1,070,650) prize pool up for grabs, the tension was palpable as players battled for a share of the riches. Every player at the final table was guaranteed at least ₱94,000 (~$1,615), but the real prize was the coveted APT Main Event title and the glory that came with it.

The Main Event final table was a rollercoaster emotions and momentum swings. The action was fast and furious, with early eliminations of the two biggest stacks, while short-stacked underdogs staged dramatic comebacks. Russia’s Ivan Govorov delivered one of the most jaw-dropping final table comebacks in APT history. And when the dust settled, he stood tall—battered but unbeaten—as the APT Manila Classic 2025 Main Event Champion!

In a gripping heads-up showdown, Govorov outlasted WSOP bracelet winner Samuel Mullur to claim the award-winning 24K Gold Lion Trophy and a jaw-dropping ₱11,069,680 (~$190,201) payday—the biggest of his career. Mullur, who had dominated much of the final table, still walked away with a hefty ₱6,507,000 (~$111,804) for his runner-up finish.

Congratulations to Russia’s Ivan Govorov for his stunning victory at the record-breaking #APTManilaClassic2025 Main Event!🔥🎉
He takes home an impressive PHP 11,068,680 (~USD 190K) top prize, along with the prestigious Gold Lion APT Main Event 🏆 and an exclusive APT… pic.twitter.com/AOCgcSUG6t

— Asian Poker Tour (@AsianPokerTour) February 15, 2025

With this victory, the 32-year-old Ryazan native clinched his second major title, skyrocketing up 58 places to enter the top 150 in Russia’s all-time money list, with his total live winnings now surpassing the $500K mark.

Govorov also won a NT$350,000 (~$10,700) entry into the APT Championship (APTC) in Taipei, Taiwan—a NT$165 Million (~$5 Million) guaranteed poker extravaganza running from November 14 to 30, 2025.

In true champion fashion, an ecstatic Govorov declared, “I expect to apply for a visa for the APT Championship, travel to Taipei, and win there as well!”

Before posing for his first-ever APT title winner’s photo, Govorov said, “I want to thank everyone who supported me: my mom, dad, brother, and my girlfriend Angelina, and give a big thank you to all of you who supported us.”

Strong Indian Presence at the APT Main Event!

The Indian contingent had been a force to be reckoned with throughout the series, and the Main Event was no exception. Seventeen Indian players entered the fray on Day 2, battling against an elite field in pursuit of the prestigious title. As the competition intensified, only seven Indian contenders managed to navigate the bubble to make the payouts list.

Young Gun Siddharth Karia led the Indian charge with a stellar performance, finishing 27th for ₱305,000 (~₹4.58 Lakhs)—his only score at the festival. Rishi Mehra was the only other Indian player to reach Day 4. His run, however, came to an end in 33rd place, netting him ₱223,000 (~₹3.35 Lakhs).

Somasekhar Sanampuri (98th for ₱119,000 ~₹1.78 Lakhs), Bharath Jayaram (103th for ₱119,000 ~₹1.78 Lakhs), Rahul Darak (137th for ₱106,000 ~₹1.59 Lakhs), Event #1: ₱12K Philippines National Cup champion Raju Jaruplavath (145th for ₱94,000 ~₹1.41 Lakhs), and Ish Agarwal (166th for ₱94,000 ~₹1.41 Lakhs) were the other Indian players who posted scores in the APT Main Event.

A total of 377 players advanced to Day 2 from the initial starting flights, with an additional 56 late registrants joining the action before play resumed. With only 175 places paid, the competition was cuthroat, and several well-known pros fell short of the money. Among the notable casualties who exited empty-handed were former APT Main Event champions Punnat Punsri, Lester Edoc, Henrik Tollefsen, Christopher Mateo, and John Tech.

The tension reached fever pitch as Kenneth Anthony became the unfortunate money bubble casualty, bringing Day 2 to a dramatic close.

With 175 survivors returning for Day 3, the battle intensified as players jockeyed for position in the escalating prize ladder. Several notables made deep runs, including Stephen Sc Lai (50th for ₱190,000), Takumi Monden (53rd for ₱190,000), David Erquiaga (55th for ₱190,000), Sho Katsura (57th for ₱157,000), Andrew Nguyen (77th for ₱132,000), Jaejoong Kim (101st for ₱119,000), Anthony Gabitan (131st for ₱106,000), and Dominik Nitsche (143rd for ₱106,000).

The penultimate day of action began with 48 players still in contention for the APT Main Event title, but only nine would make it to the grand finale. As the field narrowed, several talented contenders saw their dreams dashed just short of the final table. Michihiko Matsuda came closest to a final table seat, finishing in 10th place for ₱679,000.

Tetsuya Tsujisaka (14th for ₱548,000), Shinya Matsuda (17th for ₱487,000), Vlada Stojanovic (21st for ₱363,000), Jayden Zalac (24th for ₱305,000), Geno Gendrano (32nd for ₱223,000), Weslian Jase Alvaran (41st for ₱190,000), and Hayama Miei (46th for ₱190,000) also saw their hopes of victory fade away.

The stage is set for the #APTManilaClassic2025 Main Event final table! Before the action kicks off at 11 AM, get to know the final contenders and explore the poker credentials of our potential champions-in-waiting.🔥

Player Profiles: https://t.co/tWEIBmFgPu pic.twitter.com/7OsELtQlDu

— Asian Poker Tour (@AsianPokerTour) February 15, 2025

The final table of the APT Manila Classic Main Event was a spectacle streamed live (with a slight delay) on the Asian Poker Tour’s official YouTube channel, giving poker fans worldwide a front-row seat to the high-stakes drama. If you missed it, you can catch the replay and witness the action firsthand.

Final Table Chip Counts

1. Dmitrii Belikov – 8,890,000
2. Hiroya Iwamoto – 8,225,000
3. Or Nezer – 6,660,000
4. Dylan Foster – 6,615,000
5. Jie Zhang – 5,320,000
6. Alexander Ugay – 4,720,000
7. Ivan Govorov – 3,390,000
8. Samuel Mullur – 2,150,000
9. Adalsteinn Karlsson – 1,700,000

Final Table Recap

As the final nine players took their seats, all eyes were on start-of-day chip leader Dmitrii Belikov. But the real story of the final table was the incredible resilience of Ivan Govorov. Entering as the third shortest stack, the Russian contender was in for a gruelling battle, taking multiple hits yet refusing to be counted out.

The first casualty of the final table was Hiroya Iwamoto, who entered with the second biggest stack but struggled to gain any momentum and exited in ninth place for ₱819,000.

Shortly after, short-stacked Adalsteinn Karlsson became the eighth-place finisher, with Samuel Mullur asserting his dominance by delivering the knockout blow to the Icelandic pro, who collected ₱1,055,000 for his efforts.

With seven players remaining, China’s Jie Zhang was the next to fall, exiting with ₱1,481,000. As the stacks fluctuated and the play grew increasingly aggressive, Dmitrii Belikov, who had begun the day as the chip leader, found himself on the wrong side of variance. After controlling much of the early action, Belikov suffered a devastating blow and was eliminated in sixth place for ₱1,943,000, with Samuel Mullur playing the executioner.

At this point, Mullur seemed unstoppable, making aggressive plays and extending his chip lead. But the action was far from over. Soon, Alexander Ugay found himself in deep trouble after losing a crucial hand to Govorov, and before he could recover, Israel’s Or Nezer delivered the final blow, sending Ugay to the rail in fifth place with ₱2,628,000.

With just four players remaining, Or Nezer seemed poised to mount a serious challenge, having already been a thorn in the side of several opponents. However, his dream run ended in fourth place with ₱3,430,000 when Mullur made a gutsy call to catch Nezer’s bluff, further solidifying his control over the table.

The stage was set for a three-way battle between Samuel Mullur, Ivan Govorov, and Dylan Foster. Foster looked strong, even managing to wrestle a crucial pot away from Govorov. But his tournament dreams were shattered when Govorov flopped a straight, eliminating the Australian in third place with ₱4,577,000.

The final heads-up duel pitted Ivan Govorov against Samuel Mullur, with the Russian holding a commanding 4-to-1 chip advantage. Although Mullur managed an early double-up, the match was surprisingly short-lived, lasting only four hands. On the final hand, Mullur moved all-in preflop with , only to be called by Govorov’s dominating . The board ran out , giving Govorov the win and completing his incredible comeback story.

FINAL TABLE HEADS-UP 🔥 A♥ K♥ vs. A♦ 4♣ with ~USD 190,201 at stake! Who will claim it?#poker #pokertournament pic.twitter.com/MswQi5zDmf

— Asian Poker Tour (@AsianPokerTour) February 16, 2025

Final Table Results (PHP)

1. Ivan Govorov – ₱11,069,680
2. Samuel Mullur – ₱6,507,000
3. Dylan Foster – ₱4,577,000
4. Or Nezer – ₱3,430,000
5. Alexander Ugay – ₱2,628,000
6. Dmitrii Belikov – ₱1,943,000
7. Jie Zhang – ₱1,481,000
8. Adalsteinn Karlsson – ₱1,055,000
9. Hiroya Iwamoto – ₱819,000

Avinash Tauro Seizes Maiden Live Title in Event #99: ₱9K Hyper Turbo (₹1.62 Lakhs)!

The final day of the festival saw India erupt in celebration as long-time live circuit grinder Avinash Tauro finally captured his elusive first-ever live poker title! Facing a 39-entry field (35 unique) in Event #99: ₱9K Hyper Turbo, Tauro delivered a masterclass in fast-paced poker, outmaneuvering his opponents to seize the APT trophy and a ₱1,08,155 (~₹1.62 Lakhs) payday.

His heads-up battle against Finland’s Jussi Matias Rintalahti was a spectacle of skill and aggression as the two players navigated the ultra-turbo structure with precision and intensity. In the end, Tauro emerged triumphant, giving India its sixth title of the series, while Rintalahti finished a commendable second, taking home ₱75,000 (~$1,270).

For Tauro, this victory was more than just about the prize money; it was the culmination of a decade-long pursuit of live poker glory. He’s been a fixture on the live poker scene for over a decade, grinding his way through countless tournaments and final tables. His first recorded live cash dates all the way back to January 2015 at the India Poker Championship, where he finished fourth in the ₹30K NLHE Big Game for ₹5 Lakhs.

Since then, he has consistently delivered impressive results, grinding through some of the biggest poker tournaments in India. His most significant live score came in March 2022 when he finished fifth in the Baazi Poker Tour ₹35K Main Event, pocketing a whopping ₹13.12 Lakhs.

His recent Hyper Turbo victory in Manila may not be his largest payday, but it certainly holds a special place in his poker journey. It represents his first live title after years of coming close.

Tauro’s poker accomplishments extend beyond individual events. He was also a key member of the Pocket52 Poker Sports League (PSL) – Season 5 winning team, the Mumbai Anchors, who dominated the competition to capture the PSL title and a grand ₹75 Lakhs prize!

With this Hyper Turbo victory, Tauro’s tracked live tournament earnings have climbed to almost ₹50 Lakhs, according to his The Hendon Mob profile.

While Tauro celebrated his breakthrough victory, fellow Indian player Birangat Singh Gambhir also made a splash at the final table. Gambhir, who had already won Event #27: ₱12K Hyper Turbo, made a strong run for another title, finishing third for ₱48,000 (~₹71,868). This was his third cash of the festival, pushing his total earnings from the series to a sweet ₱335,696 (~₹5.03 Lakhs)!

The ₱9,000 buy-in Event #99: Hyper Turbo generated a total prize pool of ₱293,155. Only the top five finishers walked away with a payout, with a min-cash worth ₱28,000.

Final Table Results (PHP)

1. Avinash Tauro – ₱108,155
2. Jussi Matias Rintalahti – ₱75,000
3. Birangat Singh Gambhir – ₱48,000
4. Sithanh Deuansavanh – ₱34,000
5. Emmanuel Segismundo – ₱28,000

Content & Images Courtesy: Asian Poker Tour