Fabrod Nazari Secures WPT Cyprus Championship Victory in Kyrenia

The 2026 WPT Cyprus Championship unfolded at the Chamada Prestige Hotel & Casino in Kyrenia, Cyprus during August, drawing a field of 520 entrants that generated a prize pool approaching $2 million. Iranian player Fabrod Nazari emerged as the champion after navigating the $3,500 buy-in event and defeating runner-up Chadi Rizk in heads-up play. The tournament structure placed participants in a competitive environment where survival required consistent decision-making across multiple days of play. Nazari's path to the title included reaching the final stages where the remaining competitors contended for the largest shares of the payout distribution.

Event Details and Field Size

Organizers hosted the main event at a venue known for accommodating large poker tournaments, and the 520-player turnout reflected strong participation levels. This number produced a substantial prize pool that distributed funds across the top finishers, with the winner receiving $368,900 along with a seat to the WPT World Championship. The total payout package marked a significant increase over Nazari's previous career earnings, more than tripling the amount accumulated prior to this result.

Chadi Rizk reached the heads-up stage after progressing through earlier rounds, setting up a direct confrontation that concluded when Nazari flopped a six-high straight. This hand secured the victory and ended the match, allowing Nazari to claim the championship title and the associated rewards.

Final Hand and Outcome

The decisive moment occurred during heads-up action when Nazari connected with the board to form the six-high straight, outpacing Rizk's holding at that point. Tournament officials recorded the outcome as Nazari's win, confirming the payout allocation and the added WPT World Championship seat. Data from the event shows the prize pool reached nearly $2 million based on the 520 entries, establishing clear figures for the distribution process.

Observers tracking the results noted that the victory represented a career milestone for the Iranian player, whose prior earnings stood well below the amount awarded here. The inclusion of the WPT World Championship seat extended the value of the win beyond the immediate cash component, providing entry into a larger upcoming competition.

Prize Structure and Player Impact

The $368,900 first-place prize combined cash and the championship seat in a single package, reflecting standard WPT practices for major stops. This amount exceeded three times Nazari's earlier recorded totals, shifting his standing among players with comparable career histories. The event at Chamada Prestige Hotel & Casino operated under established tournament rules that governed all aspects from registration through final table play.

According to official records available through the World Poker Tour site, the Cyprus Championship formed part of the 2026 schedule and attracted entrants from various regions. The nearly $2 million prize pool supported payouts that rewarded deep runs while concentrating the largest share at the top. Nazari's win added his name to the list of past champions for this particular stop.

Broader Context Within the 2026 Schedule

The Kyrenia location hosted the event as one stop on the tour, and the 520-entrant field aligned with expectations for regional WPT festivals. Participants competed under consistent blind structures and time limits that maintained steady progress toward the later stages. The final heads-up match between Nazari and Rizk provided the closing chapter, with the straight on the flop determining the champion.

Figures released after the tournament confirm the payout details and the additional seat component. Those following the series can access full results and payout structures through the linked WPT resources for verification.

Conclusion

The 2026 WPT Cyprus Championship concluded with Fabrod Nazari as the titleholder after his victory over Chadi Rizk. The event at the Chamada Prestige Hotel & Casino in Kyrenia produced a nearly $2 million prize pool from 520 entries, and Nazari collected $368,900 plus the WPT World Championship seat. This outcome more than tripled the player's prior career earnings and marked a notable result within the tour's 2026 calendar.