Anthony Castro Wins Historic First THM Asian Championship at SiGMA Poker Tour Manila

Castro Claims Career-Best Result in Landmark Event

History was made at the SiGMA Poker Tour Manila as Anthony Castro etched his name into The Hendon Mob record books by winning the inaugural THM Asian Championship, securing both the prestigious title and the largest live tournament score of his career.

The first-ever THM Asian Championship was one of the festival’s headline attractions at City of Dreams Manila, bringing together players from across Asia and beyond for a landmark moment in The Hendon Mob Championship’s (THMC) continued global expansion. Castro rose above a competitive field of 237 entries to claim the trophy, delivering a career-defining performance on one of the region’s biggest stages and earning his biggest recorded live cash to date.

With his ₱679,600 ($10,993) win, Castro enters the six-figure career earnings territory and his 122nd result. Every result has occurred in the Philippines; however, Castro will have a chance to get his second flag as the winner of the THMC South African Million package, with the event on deck for later this year.

Gursimran Brar Turns First Recorded Cash Into Main Event Glory

Beyond the THM Asian Championship, the SiGMA Poker Tour Manila festival delivered a packed schedule, attracting players from numerous countries. The series culminated in the Main Event, where Gursimran Brar of India produced an unforgettable breakthrough performance.

Brar outlasted the entire field of 362 entries to capture the Main Event title, recording what was remarkably the first live cash of his career according to his newly created THM profile. Rather than easing into the live tournament scene with a modest result, Brar announced himself in spectacular fashion by turning his debut recorded score into a major championship victory.

The triumph highlighted one of poker’s enduring appeals: every tournament offers the opportunity for a new story to emerge. In Manila, both Castro and Brar seized their moments in very different ways—one achieving a career-best result in a historic championship, the other launching his tournament résumé with an immediate title-winning performance.

SiGMA Poker Tour Continues Its Global Momentum

While Manila was making headlines in Asia, SiGMA was also hosting its SiGMA Poker Tour Special Edition festival in Malta, creating an action-packed period for the growing poker tour brand. The Malta stop attracted 673 entries in its Main Event, further underlining SiGMA Poker Tour’s expanding footprint on the international poker calendar.

With landmark victories, breakout champions and strong turnouts across multiple destinations, the recent SiGMA Poker Tour festivals showcased the global reach and momentum that continue to drive both SiGMA Poker Tour and The Hendon Mob into new territories. From Manila’s first-ever THM Asian Championship to another successful gathering in Malta, the summer schedule provided plenty of memorable moments—and plenty more stories still to be written.

SiGMA and The Hendon Mob Championship Heading to Mexico

The SiGMA Poker Tour is heading to Mexico at the end of August, and The Hendon Mob Championship will be front and center once again as we add another country to our growing list. Mexico will be a debut location for both brands and the first-ever North American event for the SiGMA Poker Tour.

Mexico will be the second stop in North America for the THMC this summer, as our richest event ever takes the stage at Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, California. The three previous instalments of the $600 The Hendon Mob Mid-Major Championship have produced fields of 1,605, 1,248, and 1,111, awarding over $2,000,000 in prize money.