The headlines will say that Chezka Centeno is now a two-time world champion after winning the Predator WPA Women’s World 10-Ball Championship in Bali, Indonesia, on Sunday—and rightfully so. She not only ruled the prestigious competition, but she did so by outlasting compatriot Rubilen Amit, 4-1, 2-4, 4-2, 3-4, 4-2, in a thrilling all-Filipina finale that showcased elite shot-making and pool at the highest level.
With her latest conquest, Centeno joined Amit as the only players in history to have won the WPA Women’s World 10-Ball Championship more than once, further cementing her place as one of pool’s best ever. Not to mention, she bested 63 other players, each of whom came to Bali with dreams of being world champion.
That’s a great story in and of itself. But it gets better.
Chezka Centeno Opens Up About Inner Struggles, Self-Doubt
World champion Chezka Centeno—it just sounds so right, right?—didn’t just win a world championship in Bali. She didn’t just beat Amit and a host of others. More than overcoming world-class competition, Centeno overcame her own inner demons—anxiety, uncertainty, self-doubt. You name it, Centeno had to beat it, and early Monday morning, she opened up about this inner battle, one that was evidently raging for quite a while already.
“For the past four months, I’ve been competing non-stop, reaching three finals and falling short in two. I kept telling myself it was okay, that life goes on, but deep inside, the fire started to fade,” Chezka Centeno wrote on Facebook. “I began doubting myself and feeling anxious. I lost confidence, my mind would go blank during matches, and I would lose early. It was one of the toughest stretches of my career, a quiet battle within myself.”
Even in Bali, Chezka Centeno wasn’t just going up against the world’s best women’s pool players. She was going up against herself, and she admitted that she nearly lost that battle if not for her faith.
“When I flew to Bali, I was filled with uncertainty. After losing my second match, I even thought about giving up. But God showed Himself to me and reminded me to keep going and trust Him. The next day, I woke up feeling light and at peace, as if God had restored my confidence and spirit.”
From Challenged to Champion: Chezka Centeno Beats the Odds
It had been a challenging stretch for Chezka Centeno, all right, and yet she persevered long enough for God’s work to move mountains. After that loss to Chia Hua Chen, the Filipina cue artist won seven in a row to fight back from the losers’ bracket and win her second world championship. It was a scintillating run, one that Centeno considers one of her life’s miracles.
“This victory is one of the miracles of my life. I wasn’t at my best, but He prepared me for this moment,” she continued. “I’m still in awe of how it all unfolded, and I know without a doubt it was all Him. God is good and faithful!”
God for sure did lots of work. But Chezka Centeno might be selling herself short. Yes, God helped Chezka through one of the toughest stretches of her life, but she also deserves credit for her unwavering spirit.
Remember, Chezka Centeno had thought of giving up already. But she didn’t. Now, she’s a world champion again.
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Watch the all-Filipina final between Chezka Centeno and Rubilen Amit for the Predator WPA Women’s World 10-Ball Championship:
