An anonymous player competing under the nickname “Goofy” has won the opening major event of the 2026 Onyx Super High Roller Series, completing a dramatic heads-up comeback to collect a $1 million first prize.
The $10,400 Premiere event at the Merit Royal Diamond Hotel Casino & Spa in North Cyprus attracted 507 entries and carried a $5 million guarantee. A total of 76 players reached the money before the field was eventually reduced to a final table loaded with established high-stakes professionals.
Among those making the final nine were Mikita Badziakouski, Sergio Aido, Giorgiy Skhulukhiya, Oshri Lahmani, Damir Gabdullin and Ravid Garbi.
Badziakouski Takes Huge Lead Into Heads-Up
Five-time Triton champion Mikita Badziakouski looked to be in control for much of the closing stages.
After several major pots went his way, Badziakouski entered heads-up play with approximately 42.6 million chips against Goofy’s 7.5 million – close to a six-to-one advantage.
But the match quickly changed direction.
Goofy narrowed the gap, won a major pot after making trip eights, then moved into the lead after hitting a set of threes. Badziakouski fought back to level the contest, but Goofy regained the momentum and eventually built a better than two-to-one advantage before the final hand.
Goofy finished the tournament holding 9-6 against Badziakouski’s 5-4. After both players connected with the flop, the money went in and Goofy’s top pair remained ahead through the river.
The victory secured the anonymous champion the $1,000,000 top prize.
Badziakouski received $585,000 for second place, while Oshri Lahmani earned $375,000 for third. Giorgiy Skhulukhiya collected $260,000 in fourth and Sergio Aido finished fifth for $190,000.
For Badziakouski, the runner-up result added another major score to a career that has now produced more than $72 million in recorded tournament cashes. But the opening headline of the Onyx series belongs to Goofy – an anonymous player who started heads-up heavily outchipped and finished the night with a seven-figure victory.