Rumors had been abuzz about Ukrainian poker pro Eugene Katchalov being one of the top tournament players in the world. In 2007 Katchalov booked a huge win of $2.4 Million in the 2007 Doyle Bruson World Poker Classic. In 2008 and 2009, Katchalov had some close calls to major poker titles including 39th place finish in the 2009 WSOP Main Event for $178,000.
In the last 6 months Katchalov has been absolutely en fuego! After $248K and $194K prizes at last summers WSOP No-Limit 6 Handed and HORSE event, this week Katchalov took first in the $100,000 PCA High Roller Event for $1.5 Million! The event lasted 3 days. Beating out a who’s who of 37 of the world’s best tournament pros, Katchalov solidified his name as one of the top tournament players in the world. He even finished the match by beating the one and only Kid Poker, Daniel Negreanu, in a head-up match with everything on the line.
Negreanu however made news of his own. By winning second place, he earned $1 Million in cash, not chump change by any standards. And more than the money, Negreanu has leap-frogged Phil Ivey to take the top spot on the the all-time tournament winnings list, a huge accomplishment. Negreanu’s total lifetime tournament winnings are $14,116,192. Eugene Katchalov is currently ranked number 41 on the all time money list with $5.8 Million, and it’s safe to say that Katchalov is on the way up!