Naoya Kihara

Naoya Kihara rose to prominence in 2012 when he became the first Japanese player ever to win a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet. He took down the $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Six-Handed event (Event #34) for $512,029, a landmark achievement for Japanese poker. That same year, Kihara also made a deep run in the WSOP Main Event, finishing 9th for $590,442, further cementing his reputation on the global stage. His early career demonstrated a strong foundation in both hold'em and Omaha variants, and he quickly became a regular on the international circuit, with additional cashes at EPT and WPT events.

Throughout the 2010s and early 2020s, Kihara consistently added to his résumé with strong performances across a variety of disciplines. At the 2022 WSOP, he showcased his versatility in mixed games, finishing third in the $1,500 Dealer's Choice event ($52,282), fifth in the $10,000 Dealer's Choice ($73,453), and notably third in the prestigious $50,000 Poker Players Championship ($639,257) – which remains his largest single cash to date. These results highlighted his mastery of multiple poker variants and his ability to compete against the world's elite in high-stakes rotation games. He also placed fifth in the $10,000 Dealer's Choice and third in the $50,000 Poker Players Championship in the same series, earning over $750,000 from those three events alone.

The 2026 WSOP marked a career-defining moment for Kihara. He entered the $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw Championship with just a single chip remaining at one point, yet staged an incredible comeback to win the event and his second WSOP bracelet, collecting $428,923. Only three days later, he captured his third bracelet in the $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship, earning an additional $301,970. This back-to-back bracelet achievement made him one of the most successful players of the series. In total during the 2026 WSOP, Kihara cashed in 16 events, including a 3rd-place finish in the $2,500 Mixed Big Bet Event ($78,984) and a 7th in the $50,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha ($189,720), pushing his career live earnings past $3.6 million.

Kihara is widely regarded as a disciplined, technically sound player with a solid fundamental game. He excels in deep-stack situations and is known for making calm, calculated decisions under pressure. His style is generally tight-aggressive, emphasizing position and hand selection while avoiding marginal spots. This approach has been particularly effective in mixed-game events, where his broad skill set allows him to adapt to different formats. Kihara's ability to come back from extreme adversity – such as his single-chip comeback in the 2026 Lowball Draw – underscores his mental resilience and deep understanding of tournament dynamics.

As of June 2026, Kihara's live tournament earnings total $3,679,615, placing him 4th on the Japan All Time Money List and 1,160th globally. He holds a Global Poker Index (GPI) ranking of 729. With three WSOP bracelets, he is the most decorated Japanese player in the event's history, and his 2012 victory paved the way for a generation of Japanese poker professionals. Kihara continues to be an active presence at the WSOP and other major international festivals, consistently adding to his legacy as one of Japan's premier poker talents.

Between his 2022 mixed-game successes and his historic 2026 bracelets, Kihara continued to post solid results. In the 2024 WSOP, he cashed in the Main Event (894th, $22,500) and the $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Championship (18th, $20,000). At the 2025 WSOP, he placed 16th in the $10,000 Dealer's Choice Championship ($22,088) and recorded a 41st-place finish in the $1,500 Dealer's Choice ($3,847). These results, while not headline-grabbing, maintained his presence among the global elite and set the stage for his breakout in 2026.

As of mid-2026, Naoya Kihara sits 4th on the Japan All Time Money List with over $3.6 million in live earnings, trailing only Masashi Oya, Tsugunari Toma, and Kazuhiko Yotsushika. He holds a Global Poker Index (GPI) ranking of 729, reflecting his consistent high-level performances. His three WSOP bracelets are the most by any Japanese player, cementing his status as a trailblazer. Kihara's early success inspired a new wave of Japanese poker professionals, contributing to the country's growing reputation in the global poker community.