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

samantha-doyle
By Samantha Doyle
08 Jan 2026
Share
Samantha Doyle 08 Jan 2026
Share this article
Or copy link
Copy
  • 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.

undefined
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. 

undefined
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.

undefined
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 

Upcoming Events

19 June 2026

WSOP 2026 - 57th World Series of Poker, Las Vegas, USA Poker The World Series of Poker Reveals 2026 Schedule
Stake Poker $250 GTD Freebuy Poker Win Your Share of $250 with PokerWired’s $250 GTD Freebuy
BCPoker Weekend Freerolls Poker Build Your Bankroll with BCPoker Weekend Freerolls
888poker $300GTD Freebuy Poker A $300 GTD Freebuy Lands on the 888poker Schedule
Pure Poker Tour Edmonton 2026 Poker Alberta’s Premier Circuit Heads to the Capital: Pure Poker Tour Edmonton 2026
APT Incheon 2026 Poker Asian Poker Tour Returns to Paradise City Casino for APT Incheon 2026
Deerfoot Summer Super Stack Poker Deerfoot Summer Super Stack 2026: The Premier Poker Festival on the Western Canada Calendar
WSOP Super Circuit Canada Poker Playground to Host 2026 WSOP Super Circuit Canada This August
WPT Australia 2026 Poker Cards in the Air in Sydney: WPT Australia 2026 Announces Massive Three-Week Schedule
Pure Poker Tour Yellowhead 2026 Poker Pure Poker Tour Heads to Yellowhead This September
APT Jeju 2026 Poker APT Jeju 2026 Set for September 25 to October 4 in South Korea
WSOPC Calgary Poker Deerfoot Inn & Casino Prepares for WSOPC Action in September
WSOP Circuit Playground November 2026 Poker WSOP November Circuit Stop at Playground Kicks Off on November 2
APT Championship Taipei 2026 Poker APT Championship 2026 to Feature 210 Tournaments and Massive Guarantees

11 June 2026

BCPoker World Cup Series Poker Win Big During the BCPoker World Cup Festival: Freerolls, PKOs, and Massive Main Events

20 June 2026

BasePoker Weekly Freeroll Poker How to Grab Your Seat at BasePoker's $2,000 GTD Weekly Freeroll

Poker EventsStarts in

WSOP 2026 - 57th World Series of Poker, Las Vegas, USA BCPoker World Cup Series Stake Poker $250 GTD Freebuy BasePoker Weekly Freeroll BCPoker Weekend Freerolls 888poker $300GTD Freebuy Pure Poker Tour Edmonton 2026 APT Incheon 2026 Deerfoot Summer Super Stack WSOP Super Circuit Canada WPT Australia 2026 Pure Poker Tour Yellowhead 2026

Latest News

See all