Shimizu Nozomu

Nozomu Shimizu began his career at age 18 with a part-time job in a call center. His entrepreneurial drive led him to start his own company at 26, which he later took public at age 36. After a successful corporate career, he quit his company to focus on poker full-time, beginning his tournament journey in November 2022. His nickname 'LASONE' is an abbreviation of his company's name, 'Last One Mile', reflecting his determination to go the distance.

Shimizu first cashed in a live tournament in 2019, according to The Hendon Mob. He became active on the European Poker Tour (EPT) in 2022, steadily building experience. By 2023, his dedication paid off with a career-high 19 in-the-money (ITM) finishes. He noted that after years in the corporate world, he wanted to travel and compete internationally, finding the most enjoyment playing overseas. His first WSOP appearance was in 2023, where he made an immediate impact.

At the 2023 World Series of Poker, Shimizu achieved a career-best third-place finish in Event #44: $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em Freezeout, earning $305,474. This performance placed him 31st on the 2023 WSOP Money List. He also topped the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APT) 2023 Money List with $470,893, ahead of notable players like Punnat Punsri. Additionally, he has cashes at Resorts World Genting ($79,755). As of mid-2025, his total live earnings exceed $2.1 million, ranking him among Japan's all-time leaders.

At the 2023 World Series of Poker, Shimizu also made headlines on Day 1 of Event #22: $10,000 Limit Hold'em Championship, where he emerged as the chip leader after bagging 334,000 in chips. The only other player to cross the 300,000 mark was Kevin Song, who bagged up 322,000 for Day 2. The event drew 104 runners, surpassing the previous year's 92. Notable players in the field included Amir Shayesteh, Brian Lieberman, Bryce Yockey, Cary Katz, Chris Vitch, Dan Zack, Jonathan Cohen, Juha Helppi, Koray Aldemir, Mike Matusow, Nate Silver, and Shaun Deeb. Defending champion Jonathan Cohen was notably absent. Kevin Song, who had cashes dating back to 1994 and over $4 million in career earnings, had won his first and only WSOP bracelet in 1997 in a $2,000 Limit Hold'em event for $397,120.

Shimizu describes his approach as aggressively taking away opponents' equity – 'I always play more aggressively than anyone else.' He believes the essence of poker is equity denial, and his style reflects that principle. Off the felt, he is known for his humor; in Korea, he famously shouts 'natural 9' or 'wave!' to the amusement of local fans. He aims to make people laugh after the game, embodying a charismatic and engaging personality that has made him a fan favorite.

Beyond monetary success, Shimizu's primary goal is to become a player who cherishes encounters with colleagues and partners through poker, and to be 'loved more than anyone else.' He hopes that good results will follow naturally from that mindset. His rapid rise from business executive to top Japanese poker pro serves as an inspiration, showing that dedication and a positive attitude can lead to success on the global stage. He is grateful to poker media for providing rankings and recognition that adults often lack in other fields.

In a June 2023 interview with Peacepoker, Shimizu reflected on his rapid rise. He stated, "I started my career at the age of 18 with a part-time job in a call center, and I was able to start my own company at the age of 26 and take it public at the age of 36. As a second career, I quit my company to focus on poker." He also noted that his first WSOP was in 2023 and that he enjoys playing overseas most.

Shimizu expressed gratitude to poker media, saying, "We are very grateful for the poker media, because as adults, we have fewer opportunities for rankings and awards." This acknowledgment underscores his appreciation for the recognition poker provides, which contrasts with typical corporate careers.

As of 2025, Shimizu Nozomu has total live earnings of $2,128,952, ranking him 1,514th globally and among Japan's all-time leaders. He topped the 2023 APT Money List with $470,893, ahead of Punnat Punsri. His Resorts World Genting cashes total $79,755, and his best live cash remains $305,474 from the WSOP.