The information was confirmed by Mr. Heikki Aunio - a member of the Executive Committee of the Finnish Billiards Federation and also a long-time close friend of Immonen. The player's family also said that he breathed his last at a hospital in New York after a long period of treatment.
Immonen was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in December 2023. In May 2024, test results showed that the disease had disappeared, but in July of the same year, he received news that the cancer had recurred and spread to bones, spine, lungs and the lymphatic system.
Born in London and raised in Helsinki, Immonen entered the professional path in the 1990s and quickly became an icon of Finnish billiards.
In 1998, he won the European gold medal in the Straight Pool event. Three years later, he won the 9-cushion world championship (2001). The next highlight was in 2009 when Immonen won the 10-a-side world championship in Manila (Philippines).
With resounding achievements, in 2014, Mika Immonen became the first Finnish player to be honored at the "Legendary Temple" of the American Billiards Federation (Hall of Fame).
Mika Immonen's passing is a big loss for the world billiards community, especially the Finnish billiards community - where he is considered the most successful athlete in history.
