Mikita Badziakouski Wins 2021 GG Spring Festival Event H-75: $25,500 Sunday 5 Million ($1,105,679)
The 2021 GG Spring Festival has determined another high-stakes champion and it was Mikita Badziakouski that earned the biggest individual prize of the series so far. Out of a field of 208 entries in Event H-75: $25,500 Sunday 5 Million, Badziakouski claimed the lion's share of the $5.2 million prize pool and walked away with the top prize of $1,105,679.
For the Belarussian, it was redemption for his runner-up finish to Ronny Kaiser in Event H-49: $25,500 Super High Roller just a few days ago. Kaiser was also on the final table once more but had to settle for 8th place this time.
Badziakouski earned the victory in commanding style after sending six of the eight finalists to the rail. The other two casualties were caused by start-of-the-day chip leader Elio Fox, who had to settle for 4th place. Matthew "Nator" Hyman and Michel "CrossfireX" Dattani battled for the hefty pay jump and Dattani did so successfully to claim the consolation prize of $829,142.
The final table also featured Timofey Kuznetsov, Sebastian "TheodoreRhye" Trisch, Sean Winter, and Michael Zhang.
Final Result 2021 GGSF Event H-75: $25,500 Sunday 5 Million
| Place | Winner | Country | Prize (in USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mikita Badziakouski | Belarus | $1,105,679 |
| 2 | Michel "CrossfireX" Dattani | Portugal | $829,142 |
| 3 | Matthew "Nator" Hyman | Mexico | $621,769 |
| 4 | Elio Fox | United States | $466,261 |
| 5 | Timofey Kuznetsov | Russia | $349,647 |
| 6 | Sebastian "TheodoreRhye" Trisch | Germany | $262,198 |
| 7 | Sean Winter | United States | $196,621 |
| 8 | Ronny Kaiser | Switzerland | $147,445 |
| 9 | Michael Zhang | United Kingdom | $110,568 |
Badziakouski Dominates Right From the Start
Badziakouski started the final table second in chips, separated by just half a big blind to Fox, and immediately staked his claim for the top spot. In the first level of the final table, Badziakouski knocked out Michael Zhang to take over the lead and never surrendered it from there on anymore.
Ronny Kaiser was the next to go and came up short against Fox. He had previously doubled through the American pro and got it in ahead once more but Fox's top pair and gutshot spiked a straight on the river. Sean Winter was the next to bust and Sebastian "TheodoreRhye" Trisch then failed to get there with king-queen against the queens of Fox.
That was about the only time when Fox got close to Badziakouski, who dominated the action with sheer aggression until the end. Timofey Kuznetsov lost a flip to the Belorussian, who then reduced the stack of Fox to fumes. The lead of Badziakouski was so big, he could simply open-shove almost every hand.
There were some bumps along the road and most notably, Michel "CrossfireX" Dattani doubled twice through him in four-handed play. However, there was only ever going to be one winner as Badziakouski then knocked out one opponent after the other. Ultimately, the final table concluded in just shy of three hours.
The next featured final table is just around the corner as the GGSF Super MILLION$ ME-H: $10,300 will determine a winner on the live-streamed showdown on Tuesday, April 20. The PokerNews live reporting team will be back then to provide all the key hands from start to finish.
All $25,500 High Rollers during the 2021 GGSF so far
| Event | Entries | Prize Pool | Winner | Country | Top Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H-06: $25,500 Sunday Five Million | 198 | $5,000,000 | Guillaume Nolet | Canada | $1,084,892 |
| H-16: $25,500 Super High Roller | 85 | $2,125,000 | Ottomar Ladva | Estonia | $446,446 |
| H-23: $25,500 Super High Roller | 88 | $2,200,000 | Dario Sammartino | Italy | $508,448 |
| H-41: $25,500 Sunday 5 Million | 202 | $5,050,000 | Niklas Astedt | Sweden | $1,095,741 |
| H-49: $25,500 Super High Roller | 90 | $2,250,000 | Sami Kelopuro | Finland | $520,003 |
| H-49: $25,500 Super High Roller | 88 | $2,200,000 | Ronny Kaiser | Switzerland | $508,448 |
| H-75: $25,500 Sunday Five Million | 208 | $5,200,000 | Mikita Badziakouski | Belarus | $1,105,679 |