China Open 9-Ball Championship Returns to Shanghai: Szewczyk and Kawahara Lead Star-Studded Field

The 15th China Open 9-Ball Championship will take place on September 9-13 at the Tangzhen Cultural and Sports Centre in Shanghai. Sanctioned by the World Pool Association (WPA), the event features leading players from both the men's and women's divisions, with a total prize fund exceeding $350,000. Defending men's champion Wojciech Szewczyk of Poland, currently ranked No. 1 in the world, headlines the field. Reigning women's champion Chihiro Kawahara of Japan is also set to compete, creating a strong title-defense storyline. The men's draw also includes Joshua Filler, a three-time winner of the tournament, and Albin Ouschan, a two-time world champion. Fresh US Open winner Francisco Sanchez Ruiz, Fedor Gorst, and 2026 runner-up Naoyuki Hijikata add further depth. In the women's event, world champion Seo Seoa and world No. 1 Wei Tzu-Chien will challenge Kawahara for the title. China will be represented by Dang Jinhu in the men's division, along with Liu Shasha and Fu Xiaofang in the women's division. The tournament uses a hybrid format. In the men's event, the double-elimination stage is a race to 9, followed by single-elimination races to 11 once 32 players remain. The women's event features race-to-7 double elimination before switching to race-to-9 single elimination with 16 players left. Standard WPA rules apply, including the three-point rule on the break. This rule requires at least three object balls to cross the head string or be pocketed, which encourages more open and attacking break shots. The race-to-11 format in the later rounds places a premium on stamina, consistency, and mental composure. Players with strong break-and-run ability are likely to benefit from these longer matches. With a broadcast plan that includes the Kozoom Pool YouTube channel and Chinese platforms, the tournament is expected to draw significant international attention. The combination of a deep field, sizable prize money, and professional organization makes this one of the most anticipated events on the WPA calendar.