Sunday, June 21, 2015 7:13 PM Local Time
Thiago Nishijima Wins Event #38: $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em ($546,843)
Thiago Nishijima calls from the small blind and Sotirios Koutoupas moves all in from the big blind. Nishijima double checks his cards and calls and turns over .
"I just look at one," Koutoupas says as he reveals the which is covering his other card. He moves it quickly out of the way to show the and goes "aaahhhhhh" when he realizes he is behind. The Brazilian rail goes crazy when they see that their countryman is in the lead. Nishijima gives a pump of his fist.
The flop comes which gives an inside straight draw to Koutoupas as well as some chop outs. The turn is the and only one card separates Nishijima from the bracelet.
The river is the and Nishijima's nine kicker plays. He runs to his rail and gets mobbed. The Brazilian crowd is so frenzied they break the rail and security guards rush over to hold it up and prevent injury. Nishijima seeks out Koutoupas and embraces him and the Greek smiles and takes in the scene.
Nishijima rushes back to his friends and gives an emphatic winning fist pump as he grabs a Brazilian flag and celebrates. He does a quick interview with Brazilian television crews and then kneels quietly amidst the chaos and says a silent prayer. Then it's back into the noise as he walks up the steps and is swarmed by every one who is within reach. Tears roll down Nishijima's eyes as he is obviously overwhelmed by the moment. He walks over and looks at the bracelet, holds it up, and smiles the biggest smile he's probably ever had.
Congratulations to Thiago Nishijima for winning Event #38: $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em, his first WSOP bracelet, and $546,843. Sotirios Koutoupas finishes in second place for $338,414.