Kristina Tkach recently endured defeat in the Women’s World 9-Ball Championship final in the cruellest of styles, suffering a shootout loss against Seo Seoa in a thrilling finale.
First-time women’s world champion Seoa and Tkach were unable to be separated in normal play and a shootout was required, with Tkach missing her final two spot shots to be brutally denied a maiden world 9-ball title.
South Korean sensation Seoa exacted revenge following Tkach’s elusive Women’s World 10-Ball Championship triumph last November, sealing the $50,000 champion’s cheque in Jacksonville, Florida.
Tkach admitted that she was devastated to be beaten, especially after successfully executing the spot shot more than 20 times in a row whilst practising before the final, but she graciously praised Seoa on her success.
“What are the odds of me missing that exact ball the same way? I overcut it of course, and like to me it’s just really rare that I’m going to miss,” Tkach told the Doggin’ It podcast.
“I think in 2024 I’ve won every single game in shootouts. I hadn’t missed I think a single shootout in that whole year. Of course I’m not saying it’s somebody’s fault, but this is just how it had to be.
“It had to happen like that, I had to miss the same ball three times, which is not going to happen a lot I think but it happened in this moment. I take that as just fate and it was fate for her to win.
“I really respect her as a player and I’ve seen she had a great year. I’ve been there losing and crying and feeling so down on myself. But she just came out stronger out of this loss, she just bounced back, and I can respect that because I can also kind of relate that to me.”
Tkach was questioned on the shootout format which has been used in the two most recent editions of the Women’s World Championship, although she remained sure that it was good for the game.
“There’s been a lot of people talking about this. It’s the most exciting format to watch,” the women’s world number three admitted.
“It didn’t go my way this time because I lost in the shootout, but I don’t want to be hating a format just because I didn’t win. It’s part of the game, I signed up for the tournament knowing there’s a shootout.
“Nobody’s enjoying shooting in shootouts as an athlete, but I try to see the bigger picture where I think this might help our sport a lot. It’s shooting one ball for $25,000 and you don’t get to say something like that with a different format.
“With one hand I hate that and it’s not fun, but with the other hand and looking at the bigger picture, I think it’s the right move and we all just have to embrace it and just get better.”
Tkach received $30,000 after beating the likes of Fu Xiaofang, Chezka Centeno and Chou Chieh-Yu, a tremendous run that would’ve undoubtedly boosted her confidence heading into 2026.
“I’m very excited. I think next year is going to be full of amazing events,” Tkach added. “It’s going to be very busy and there’s lots of great places to travel. I’m so excited to go back to Bali, to go to Rome, to go back to Vietnam.
“You know seeing the sport really growing so rapidly for women, I’m really, really excited and happy that we have so many opportunities now and hopefully it’s only going to keep growing.”
