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| Mika Immonen, 1972-2025. Photo: Matchroom Pool. |
Immonen, inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 2014, carved his name into the sport’s history books with a career defined by grit, precision, and a cold-blooded killer instinct at the table.
Matchroom and the World Nineball Tour are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mika Immonen.
— Matchroom Pool (@MatchroomPool) September 29, 2025
Immonen, known as The Iceman, was widely considered by fans, peers, and pundits to be one of the greatest to ever play the game whilst in his prime.
His fearless playing style and… pic.twitter.com/4du2X8MsXR
Fans remember him most for winning the 2001 World Nine-Ball Championship and the 2009 World Ten-Ball Championship, making him the lone Finnish player to claim world titles in both disciplines.
For Filipino billiards fans, Immonen wasn’t just another foreign champion — he was a familiar face and a worthy rival. His epic duels against Efren “Bata” Reyes and Ronnie Alcano are still etched in memory. In fact, one of his crowning moments, the 2009 US Open Pool Championship, came at the expense of Alcano, further fueling a rivalry that always drew massive attention on Philippine soil. He defended that US Open crown a year later, cementing his reputation as one of the most relentless competitors of his era.
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| Mika Immonen. Photo: Facebook. |
Immonen’s resume stretched beyond individual glory. He was a fixture in the Mosconi Cup, representing Europe in pool’s answer to golf’s Ryder Cup. He also partnered up in doubles to capture the 2012 World Cup of Pool, showcasing his versatility and team-first approach.
Even after being diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer in 2023, the Iceman refused to bow out quietly. True to his moniker, he returned to action at the US Open a year later, proving that his spirit was as unyielding as his game. “There were some dark times but I never gave up,” Immonen said in a 2024 interview. “Part of the championship attitude is beating any obstacle in front of you.”
🙏 Mika Immonen was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer last year. This week he has returned to the table at the US Open
— Matchroom Pool (@MatchroomPool) August 20, 2024
🥊 The Iceman opens up on his 'championship attitude' to keep fighting#USOpenPool 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/lNKSx1zxTa
Tributes poured in from Matchroom Sport and fellow cue masters across the globe, underscoring the respect he commanded throughout his career.
For a generation of pool fans — especially in the Philippines — Mika Immonen will always be remembered as more than just a champion. He was a symbol of toughness, professionalism, and respect for the craft.
The tables may now feel emptier, but the legend of “The Iceman” lives on.