Chitungwiza pool virtuoso Alice Chiota made history on Saturday night, becoming the first woman in recent years to successfully defend her Carling Black Label National Women’s Pool title.

The 41-year-old solidified her status as the country's most dominant female player following a high-stakes, tense final against Diana Kabasa at the Urban Lifestyles Arena in Masvingo. In the men's division, Bulawayo’s Stephen Paswani claimed the national crown with a clinical 5-0 whitewash over 2024 champion Godfrey “Sir Gode” Masona of Mutare.

However, the night belonged to Chiota, a single mother whose rapid rise on the green baize has completely rewritten her family's trajectory. For defending her title, Chiota walked away with US2,500inprizemoneyandabrand−newpooltable—bringinghercumulativeearningssincelastyeartoUS5,000 and two tables.

Before turning to professional pool, Chiota worked as a local hairdresser. While the salon kept her afloat, the cue and stick game has brought unprecedented financial stability.

“I was a hairdresser before I took pool seriously," Chiota said. "Yes, I would get some money to take care of my children, but I am now getting more from the pool table I won last year. A lot of things have changed. After winning the title last year, I used the money to find my own place to build. My kids are going to school.”

Chiota’s consecutive titles come amid a highly volatile and competitive women's circuit. The throne has shifted hands rapidly over the last four years: Chiota finished as runner-up to Patricia Ganya in 2023, before Mercy Musekiwa of Warren Park claimed the 2024 honors. Chiota then ascended to the top in Bulawayo in 2025 before retaining the silverware on Saturday.

“Competition is now stiff," Chiota admitted. "Everyone is now a better player.”

Beyond the financial windfalls, Chiota praised the sport for its social evolution, noting that competitive pool has helped dismantle long-standing stigmas associated with women in bars.

“Most think snooker is for ladies of loose morals, or prostitutes—no, that’s not it," she said. "We have church people we play against in this game. We just play the game for the love of it and also because you can earn something."

Chiota credited tournament sponsors Delta Beverages for building a professional architecture that brings together elite national talent. Offering advice to aspiring female cueists, she added: "To the young ladies, I say keep on pushing, keep practicing hard, the results will come. Tinosvika chete [We will get there]."

Looking forward, the Chitungwiza star has no intention of stepping away from the tables anytime soon. "If God permits," she stated, she plans to play the game until she is 70 years old.

While the women’s final went down to the wire, the men's final was an entirely one-sided affair. Bulawayo’s Stephen Paswani dismantled Mutare’s Godfrey Masona without dropping a single frame.

Paswani's path to the championship was forged through grit; he had to eliminate the 2025 champion, Timothy Onida, in a grueling semi-final clash.

“This victory is for the people of Bulawayo where I come from," an ecstatic Paswani said after his victory. "I really needed this crown, I prepared hard for this. I was focused on this tournament and my efforts have paid off.”