2025 GPI Year in Review: Punsri, Foxen, and Lakhdari Secure Global Titles

samantha-doyle
08 Jan 2026
Samantha Doyle 08 Jan 2026
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  • Punnat Punsri makes history, winning GPI Player of the Year, first Asian to achieve this.
  • Kristen Foxen becomes all-time female money leader and wins her fifth Female POY title.
  • Omar Lakhdari dominates mid-stakes poker, securing GPI Mid-Major Player of the Year.
Global Poker Index 2025
The 2025 poker season has reached its conclusion, marking a transformative moment for the Global Poker Index (GPI). 

This year’s rankings have crowned a trio of champions. Punnat Punsri, Kristen Foxen, and Omar Lakhdari, who each dominated their respective categories during a year of relentless high-stakes competition. Although the formal Global Poker Awards ceremony is taking a hiatus, these results stand as the definitive objective measure of tournament excellence.

Punnat Punsri: A Historic Victory for Thailand

For the first time since the inception of the rankings, a player from Asia has captured the GPI Player of the Year title. Thailand’s Punnat Punsri finished the year with 4,458 points, narrowly defeating American pro Jesse Lonis (4,450 points) and Russia’s Artur Martirosyan (4,323 points). Punsri’s campaign was defined by volume and victory, recording 60 in-the-money finishes and seven individual titles.

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Punnat Punsri
Punsri’s total live earnings for 2025 exceeded $10.6 million. His most significant triumph occurred on the Triton Poker circuit, where he secured a $2.6 million payday in a Triton Main Event. By navigating elite fields, Punsri edged out Lonis by a mere 8 points, a victory seen as a watershed moment for the growing Asian poker market.

Punnat Punsri
Punnat Punsri
 

2025 GPI POY Top 5


Position
Player
Country
Points
1Punnat PunsriThailand4,458
2Jesse LonisUSA4,450
3Artur MartirosyanRussia4,323
4Alex FoxenUSA4,295
5Brandon WilsonUSA4,219

Kristen Foxen: Foxen Becomes the All-Time Leader

2025 GPI Female Player of the Year

Kristen Foxen has once again asserted her dominance, winning her fifth Female Player of the Year title in eight years. Finishing with 3,734 points, over 700 points ahead of runner-up Cherish Andrews, 
Foxen’s year was highlighted by becoming the all-time female money list leader. 

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Kristen Foxen

She surpassed Vanessa Selbst’s long-standing record in September following a $1.1 million score at the Triton Super High Roller Series in Jeju. With over $4.6 million in total 2025 earnings, including a win at PokerGO Cup Event #7, Foxen remains the queen of consistency.

2025 GPI Female POY Top Three


Position
Player
Country
Points
1Kristen FoxenCanada3,734 
2Cherish AndrewsUSA 2,993
3Meng Ling LinChina2,836

Omar Lakhdari: Lakhdari Rules the Mid-Stakes

2025 GPI Mid-Major Player of the Year

Omar Lakhdari dominated the Mid-Major circuit (buy-ins up to $2,500) with 2,786 points. His path to victory included a WSOP Circuit Ring in Middelkerke and a WPT Prime title. Lakhdari’s high volume of play at the Chamada Poker Series, where he won two Main Events, secured his lead over runner-up Evan Sandberg.

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Omar Lakhdari

A Few More Winners

Regional excellence was also recognized across four continents: 
  • North America: Jesse Lonis 
  • South America: Nacho Barbero 
  • Europe: Artur Martirosyan 
  • Asia: Punnat Punsri 

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