Ibiza's Jonás Souto has returned home as a world champion, but the 24-year-old pool player says his latest title will not change the way he approaches his career.

Souto was part of Spain's three-player squad that won the 2026 ISAK Billiard WPA Men's Doubles 10-Ball World Championship in Bali, Indonesia, alongside Francisco Sánchez-Ruiz and David Alcaide.

Spain defeated the Philippines 3-2 in the final on October 5 to claim the world title. Sánchez-Ruiz and Alcaide played the decisive final, while Souto had contributed during Spain's route through the tournament.

For the Ibiza player, the victory represents his second world championship medal and his first world title at senior level.

Two world titles, two very different experiences

Souto already had a world championship title on his résumé before travelling to Indonesia.

In 2019, he became world champion in the under-19 individual category in Nicosia, Cyprus.

His latest success came in a completely different environment.

This time, he was competing as part of Spain's senior national team, sharing the responsibility with two highly experienced players.

Souto told Periódico de Ibiza that he could not easily choose between the two titles because each had its own story and significance.

He ultimately admitted that, by a small margin, he would choose the new senior world championship because of the team experience and the feeling of working towards the same goal with his teammates.

Spain's route to the world title

Spain faced strong opposition throughout the tournament in Bali.

The Spanish squad included Souto, Sánchez-Ruiz and Alcaide, with the team eventually reaching the final against the Philippines.

The final was closely contested.

Spain won the opening set 4-1 before the Philippines responded with victories of 4-0 and 4-3.

The Spanish team then fought back, winning the fourth set 4-1 and the deciding fifth set 4-2 to secure the championship.

The final was played by Sánchez-Ruiz and Alcaide against Carlo Biado and Albert James "AJ" Manas of the Philippines.

Souto therefore became a world champion as a member of the winning Spanish squad, although he was not one of the two players who contested the final.

A team effort

For Souto, the team aspect was one of the most meaningful parts of the achievement.

He explained that the senior championship was different from his junior title because everyone had to work together and trust one another.

Spain's squad combined Souto's youth and motivation with the experience of Alcaide and Sánchez-Ruiz.

Souto described the Spanish team as highly balanced and highlighted the experience of Alcaide, who has spent around 25 years competing professionally, as well as Sánchez-Ruiz's position among the world's leading players.

"It does not change my way of working"

Despite adding another world title to his résumé, Souto says there will be no major change to his approach.

Asked what comes next now that he is world champion, his answer was straightforward.

He said becoming world champion does not change his way of working and that he needs to continue training, keep doing things as well as possible and maintain his performance at the highest level.

His next challenges are already on the calendar.

He told Periódico de Ibiza that he is due to compete at the Qatar Open at the end of October before returning to Spain for a Eurotour event in Gandía.

A demanding life on the international circuit

Souto's success comes with a demanding travel schedule.

The Ibiza player spends much of the year travelling internationally for tournaments.

He said that he feels fortunate to make a living from the sport he has practised since childhood and to travel around the world doing something he loves.

The travelling itself, however, is something he finds increasingly tiring.

Long journeys and spending many hours sitting on planes are among the less enjoyable parts of professional competition for him.

After the world championship final, there was also little time for a traditional celebration.

The final finished in the late afternoon, followed by the medal ceremony. The Spanish players then returned to their hotel, packed their bags and headed for their flight from Bali to Madrid close to midnight.

Spain's "golden age" of pool

Souto believes Spanish pool is currently experiencing an especially strong period.

He pointed to the presence of three Spanish players among the world's top 16 and the fact that several Spanish professionals are now travelling internationally and competing at the highest level.

For him, the results suggest that Spain is experiencing a "golden age" for the sport.

The latest world championship provides another significant result for the country's pool scene.

Bringing another side of Ibiza to the world

Souto also sees his international career as a way of representing his home island.

He has repeatedly spoken about his pride in carrying Ibiza's name around the world.

After returning home, he said that Ibiza is his home and expressed gratitude to the people and organisations that support him.

He also highlighted a message that has become important to him: Ibiza is not only about nightlife and tourism.

The island also produces athletes who compete internationally, and Souto says he is proud to show "other sides of Ibiza" to audiences around the world.

From a child at Ilusions Pool to world champion

Souto's connection with pool began at a young age at Ilusions Pool, the home of Club Billar Eivissa.

He recalled that when he was around seven years old, he was not dreaming about becoming world champion. He simply wanted to play and enjoy the sport.

As his level increased, however, his ambitions changed.

He began competing for major titles and pursuing the possibility of becoming a world champion.

That dream has now come true twice.

The first time came as a junior in 2019.

The second came this month in Bali, where he helped Spain's senior squad secure the world championship.

And despite the latest achievement, Souto's message remains remarkably simple: keep training, keep competing and keep trying to perform at the highest possible level.