Vadzim Kursevich Triumphs At 2012 EPT Deauville

Vadzim Kursevich has won the 2012 EPT Deauville, after overcoming a field of  889 players over six days to lift the title, and collect the €875,000 ($1,150,000) first place prize.
Following his remarkable win in northwestern French town of Deauville, the 24 year-old Belarussian poker pro commented:
“I can’t really believe it. It’s like a dream. A lot of times, you finish 28th, fifth, even second – and you think ‘What do I have to do to be the champion’ but when you are, it’s the best feeling in the world.”
Vadzim Kursevich entered the final table of eight in second spot and mostly took a back seat until just four players remained. He then doubled his stack courtesy of chip leader Than Trong on the button (A-Q), who four-bet shoved into Kursevich’s pocket kings on the small blind.
Now a huge chip leader, Vadzim Kursevich (K-J) eliminated a short-stacked Yorane Kerignard (Qs-9s) in 4th (€260,000), before then being dealt A-J and dispatching Than Trong (K-10) in 3rd for €328,000.
Holding a massive 7 to 1 chip lead, Vadzim Kursevich (23.145m) looked good to score a swift heads-up victory over Paul Guichard (3.365m). However, the Frenchman subsequently battled back to almost even the stacks before the final hand was played 45 minutes later.
With the blinds at 125k/250k/30k, Vadzim Kursevich on the button with 6h-3h min-raised to 500k before calling Paul Guichard’s (5-5) three-bet to 1.25 million.
The flop of Js-7h-5d then had Kursevich merely calling his opponent’s 625k lead out bet, but a 9h on the turn saw Kursevich re-raise all-in Guichard bet of 1.325 million, which was quickly called by the Frenchman with a set of fives.
However, with 14 outs in the pack, Vadzim Kursevich hit an 8 on the river to complete his straight, relegating Paul Guichard to a runner-up finish worth €557,000. Meanwhile, Vadzim Kursevich was crowned the 2012 EPT Deauville Champion, while taking his live tournament winnings to around the $1.75 million mark.
The final table payouts were as follows:
1 Vadzim Kursevich €875,000
2 Paul Guichard €557,000
3 Vuong Than Trong €328,000
4 Yorane Kerignard €260,000
5 Bruno Jais €200,000
6 Olivier Rogez €155,000
7 Luca Pagano €110,000
8 Mick Graydon €67,200