Reigning world pool 9-ball champion, Fedor Gorst, was forced to withdraw from his match against James Aranas at the Hanoi Open 2024 during the round of 32 after experiencing severe headaches.
The match, which took place on the morning of October 11, was tied at 5-5 when Gorst missed a shot on the 5-ball at a corner pocket. Despite an opportunity to continue, he missed again on the 6-ball, leaving Aranas with a chance to finish the game. However, before Aranas could take his shot, Gorst suddenly extended his hand, signaling his intention to forfeit the match.
When asked by Aranas for the reason behind his withdrawal, Gorst pointed to his head, indicating he was suffering from headaches. Prior to this, the 24-year-old Russian-born American player had been visibly struggling, often resting his head in his hands or rubbing his face while waiting for his turn. At times, during play, he could be seen shaking his head and blinking repeatedly. Besides competing in the Hanoi Open, Gorst had also been participating in exhibitions and fan events.
“What is going on?” remarked a Matchroom commentator. “It seems like Gorst is saying he’s unwell, not upset with his performance. I’ve never seen him quit like this before. In my career, I’ve only withdrawn from a match once. No wonder Aranas didn’t want to win this way.”
Medical staff at the venue later assessed Gorst, suggesting that he might be suffering from a stomach or colon issue and recommending further checks at a hospital.
On his personal social media page later that day, Gorst reassured fans that he was feeling better and apologized to Aranas for how the match had ended. He explained that he had been feeling unwell from the start of the match, struggling with symptoms such as shortness of breath, weakness, and blurred vision, possibly due to his sensitivity to high humidity. Gorst revealed that he had experienced similar issues during the Spanish Open last year.
“Quitting was never what I wanted, and I feel like I let myself down by losing the match,” Gorst wrote. “But at that moment, I had to prioritize my health. I hope to come back stronger. Thank you to the fans and everyone who supported me during the match.”
Fedor Gorst, a two-time world champion in pool 9-ball (2019 and 2024), is currently the number one-ranked player globally, having earned over $450,000 in prize money this year alone. In contrast, the second-ranked player, Eklent Kaci, has earned only $160,000. Kaci was eliminated before the knockout rounds, while Gorst’s withdrawal in his first match of the knockout stage resulted in a 0-10 forfeit loss.
The Hanoi Open is taking place from October 8-13 at the Hanoi Indoor Athletics Arena, featuring a total prize pool of $200,000, with $30,000 going to the champion. More than 200 players competed in the double-elimination stage, where Gorst had won all three of his matches before advancing to the knockout rounds. The knockout stage consists of 64 players, including eight representatives from Vietnam.
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