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This is the first WSOP bracelet ever for the Russian part-time poker player, and Zhigalov said he has dreamed about winning his first one since he was 16. After 3 long days with more than 14 hours of poker play, Russian Andrey Zhigalov has won his first-ever WSOP gold bracelet this past weekend in Event #15 $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. for a memorable $202,787 payout after a grueling heads-up battle against Timothy Frazin.

After the event, the 29-year-old Zhigalov said, "I've been dreaming about this since I was 16. I thought when I would have $10,000 I could play the main event. Then, when I had $10,000, I realized I needed to pay for the plane ride and the hotel. So, I needed more money."

Zhigalov became a mixed game specialist to realize his dream, and since the Main Event is a NLHE format, he said about no limit hold'em, "It's boring for me - when I get only two cards, I think ‘Where are the others?'"

A player field of 731 had been reduced to just two in the late hours of day three, but after 3 hours of heads-up action under the sweltering heat of the Rio (the air-conditioning being temporarily down), Frazin and Zhigalov called it a night.

Zhigalov said on the Day 3 schedule, "We played like 15 hours and I was exhausted at the end of it. We came back today, and it was very good for me because I slept well, and I felt much better."

The extra 4th day was just what Zhigalov needed, as he was able to finally earn the bracelet after he defeated Frazin in a double Razz game. Zhigalov said, "I feel amazing - I was excited when I made Day 2 of a WSOP event and I was excited when I made Day 3 and then I was here on Day 4. It's amazing."

2018 WSOP Event #15 $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. Final Table Results

Source:
https://www.pokernews.com/news/2018/06/andrey-zhigalov-wins-event-15-1-500-h-o-r-s-e-for-202-787-31067.htm