Nevan Chang conquers the APT Superstar Challenge with $337K
Nevan Chang triumphs over a field of 51 entries in the APT Superstar Challenge in Jeju, reaching the largest tournament prize pool with $337,000 as the top award.
Key Takeaways
- Nevan Chang won the APT Superstar Challenge in Jeju with a record prize of $337,000.
- The tournament registered 51 entries, the highest figure since the buy-in increase in 2024.
- The final table featured players from eight countries, reflecting the global diversity of the event.
- The heads-up was resolved in three hands, with Rudy Edenata as runner-up with $254,000.
Nevan Chang takes the victory and the highest prize in the history of the APT Superstar Challenge, winning $337,000 in the $27,000 event held at the LES A Casino in Jeju Shinhwa World. The Asian Poker Tour tournament achieved a record of 51 entries, exceeding the guarantee of $1.6 million and distributing a total prize pool of approximately $1.25 million, solidifying itself as the highlight event of the circuit in Asia.
An Unprecedented Tournament in the Asian Poker Tour
The APT Superstar Challenge 2026 in Jeju attracted 51 players, setting a new record since the buy-in rose to $27,000 at the beginning of 2024. The atmosphere in the room, although relaxed and lacking live streaming, contrasted with the magnitude of the prizes at stake: over $1.25 million distributed and $337,000 reserved for the champion. The absence of cameras allowed participants to maintain informality, using their phones between hands and chatting with friends just steps away from the final table.
Eight countries were represented at the final table, illustrating the truly global profile of the tournament. The field mixed recognized professionals and new talents, highlighting the level and diversity that currently characterize APT events.
Final Table Results of the APT Superstar Challenge Jeju
The tournament distributed prizes to the last eleven participants, with the final table composed of figures from different countries:
- Yu Chung "Nevan" Chang (Taiwan): KRW 451,777,500 (~$337,000)
- Rudy Edenata (Indonesia): KRW 341,060,000 (~$254,000)
- Nang Quang Nguyen (Vietnam): KRW 243,610,000 (~$181,000)
- Rob Hollink (Netherlands): KRW 187,800,000 (~$140,000)
- Renji Mao (China): KRW 132,880,000 (~$99,000)
- Johan Pedersen (Denmark): KRW 99,220,000 (~$74,000)
- Yoko Sasaki (Japan): KRW 77,960,000 (~$58,000)
- Chih Wei Fan (Taiwan): KRW 67,330,000 (~$50,000)
- Fabian Gumz (Germany): KRW 60,240,000 (~$45,000)
- Christian Harder: KRW 56,700,000 (~$42,000)
- Lester Edoc: KRW 53,150,000 (~$39,000)
The dollar figures represent estimates based on the exchange rate at the time of the tournament.
Road to the Title: Chang Among the Asian Elite
The final table brought together nine representatives from eight countries. Fabian Gumz finished in ninth place ($45,000), followed by Chih Wei Fan ($50,000). Yoko Sasaki, the only woman in the decisive instance, placed seventh with $58,000 after losing a preflop all-in against Nang Quang Nguyen. Johan Pedersen (Denmark) finished sixth ($74,000), succumbing to Chang in a hand where a two on the river changed the outcome at the last moment. Renji Mao (China), who sought to maintain China's positive streak in Jeju, fell in fifth place ($99,000) after being eliminated by Rudy Edenata.
Rob Hollink, a historic figure from the Netherlands, was the last European remaining, finishing fourth with $140,000. The podium was completed when Chang eliminated Nguyen in third place ($181,000), and a heads-up emerged between Chang and Rudy Edenata, with the former holding two-thirds of the chips in play.
"I just had to see who was tight and who was loose, and focus on my best version." — Nevan Chang to PokerOrg after his victory
Quick Resolution in the Heads-Up and Personal Record for Chang
The final duel was decided in just three hands. In the first relevant flop, Chang made a check-raise and, after Edenata shoved on the turn, called immediately. Edenata showed two pair with 9-3, but Chang had a flush with Q9 of spades. The river confirmed the victory, and Edenata took home $254,000 as the runner-up.
This result brings Chang's live earnings to over $4.4 million, most of which have been earned in Taiwan and Asia, but with notable results also on other continents. Chang had already reached final tables in bracelet events at the WSOP in 2024 and 2025, but the title in Jeju becomes his largest individual payout, surpassing the $282,000 earned for fourth place in the Triton Poker $25K, also this month and in the same city.
As part of the award, Chang received an entry for the $10,000 APT Championship Main Event that will be held in November in Taipei, where he will seek to further extend his record of prizes.
The APT Jeju Boosts the High-Level Asian Calendar
The festival in Jeju included, in addition to the Superstar Challenge, events such as the High Roller Ultra Stack (with $160,000 for first place) and tournaments in various formats — from 9-Game Mix and bounty to PLO — all running in parallel and with outstanding registrations. The APT's Main Event still had registrations open at the time of the final of the Superstar Challenge, exceeding guarantees and underscoring the growth of the Asian circuit.
The results of the APT Jeju reaffirm the international appeal of the tour and the consolidation of Asia in the high-buy-in tournament scene, providing a platform for both established and emerging talents.
Chang will return to the tables in Taipei this November, aiming for future titles in the premium segment of global poker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the APT Superstar Challenge 2026 in Jeju?
Nevan Chang was crowned champion of the APT Superstar Challenge in Jeju, taking home $337,000 and achieving his highest individual prize to date.
How many players participated in the APT Superstar Challenge and what was the total prize pool?
The event featured 51 entries, surpassing one million dollars in prizes and setting a new record since the introduction of the $27,000 buy-in.
Who were the final table players of the APT Superstar Challenge?
The final table consisted of players from Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Netherlands, China, Denmark, Japan, and Germany, including notable figures like Rob Hollink, Yoko Sasaki, and Nang Quang Nguyen.
How was the heads-up between Nevan Chang and Rudy Edenata defined?
The final battle was resolved in just three hands when Chang hit a flush on the flop and eliminated Edenata, who earned $254,000 for his second-place finish.
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About the author
Sofía Carrasco
Poker Correspondent
Sofía Carrasco covers live and online poker — tournament series from the WSOP and EPT to the daily room grind, promotions, and the industry moves behind them. The reports keep every score, pot, and player name exactly as the record shows, and follow the story past the final hand: who qualified, what the structure rewarded, and how the field is shifting. For player moves, software, and regulation across the poker economy, Sofía Carrasco is the first read.
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