Yan, Miao, Juanda Lead Asia-Pacific PoY Races

The first 4 1/2 months of the poker season are in the books. With a little break in the action as the planet prepares for the World Series of Poker, we take a look at some of the National Player of the Year races in the Asia-Paficic …

YAN IN TOTAL CONTROL

He dominated the 2013 National Player of the Year race in New Zealand and David Yan (GPI#54) looks to be on his way to securing a second straight National PoY title. Yan, who like Ole Schemion (GPI#1) is one the youngest and brightest in the game today, holds a +300-point lead on his closest competition in New Zealand, Daryl Hussey (GPI#950).

Yan, who is still looking for his very first win on the live tournament circuit, has cashed in three EPT events so far in 2014 (PCA, Sanremo, Grand Final). His 19th place finish at the EPT Grand Final earned him his highest PoY points total of the year, 130.13.

GPI National New Zealand Player of the Year Race:

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MIAO LEADS IN CHINA

Three victories so far this season see Chenxiang Miao (GPI#353) take the lead in the GPI National China Player of the Year race. Miao is enjoying a career-year on the circuit. Apart from his three wins, he has collected a total of eight Top 10 finishes. What makes Miao even more dangerous is his ability to play all the games on the circuit.

Quan Zhou (GPI#931), who has two wins of his own on the circuit this year, comes in second on the Chinese PoY charts.

GPI National China Player of the Year Race:

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WU, KUO BATTLE IN TAIWAN

Two star players are involved in a battle for National bragging rights in Taiwan. Team PokerStars Pro Raymond Wu (GPI#1923) currently leads the way. Wu’s season includes a 33rd place finish in the Aussie Millions Poker Championship.

Right behind Wu is popular live and online pro Hui Chen-Kuo (GPI#161), better known as Kitty. Kuo has three cashes on the live circuit so far this season, you should expect more from her in the coming months! She remains the top ranked player in Asia on the GPI300.

GPI National Taiwan Player of the Year Race:

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THE RACE IS ON DOWN UNDER

There is a new leader in Australia! Although he remains the top ranked Australian on the GPI300, 2013 GPI National Australia Player of the Year Jeffrey Rossiter (GPI#14) has taken a back seat in the National Player of the Year race, trailing Tam Truong (GPI#116) by a little over 90-points.

ANZPT Perth High Roller Champion Michael Kanaan (GPI#449) finds himself in third position in the Australian PoY race while popular Aussie pro Jonathan Karamalikis (GPI#169) sits sixth on the National charts.

GPI National Australia Player of the Year Race:

[table id=1152 /]

KIHARA TOPS JAPAN CHARTS, AGAIN

He won the National race last year and he’s on his way to yet another GPI National Japan Player of the Year title in 2014 … although there is still a lot of poker to play! Naoya Kihara (GPI#247), who’s 2014 scores include a runner-up finish in the High Roller event at APPT Seoul and a 47th place finish at the WPT L.A. Poker Classic.

Tetsuya Tsuchikawa (GPI#936), who currently sits second on the National PoY charts, has five qualifying scores on the live tournament circuit so far this season.

GPI National Japan Player of the Year Race:

[table id=1153 /]

ELSEWHERE IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC

There are plenty of other races ongoing in the Asia-Pacific, here is a look at the top player in other countries:

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