Canadian WSOP Champ Duhamel Attacked at Home
Jonathan Duhamel, the young man who became the first Canadian to
win a World Series of Poker final table title in 2010, is recovering after a
violent attack during a home robbery a few days before Christmas.
The attack on the Canadian WSOP champ sent shockwaves throughout Canada.
Duhamel has spoken out for the first time about the brutal attack after he opened the door for what he thought were two postal delivery men on the morning of December 21st at his home in Montreal.
The Canadian poker pro was expecting the delivery of Christmas gifts for his family and didn't hesitate letting the men in. However, within seconds he was being blindsided by one of the men and then they set upon him, beating and kicking him.
"I've played hockey all my life, so I've had some fights, but not one like this one," recalled the Canadian WSOP champ. "They took me by surprise. At first I thought he was the only one, but then the second man came by my back and I never saw him and he just kicked me in the head."
They then demanded that Duhamel open his safe, indicating that they knew where he kept his money and confirming the poker player's suspicions that the men had been tipped off by someone close to him. They then continued beating him, while stashing away cash, a Rolex watch and Duhamel's prized WSOP bracelet from his 2010 win.
Even after the robbers had taken what they came for, they continued to beat a bound Duhamel, all the while threatening his life.
Duhamel's Former Girlfriend Arrested
When the robbers left, Duhamel managed to free himself and called for help, after which he was taken to hospital and treated for his injuries.
After a police investigation, four people, including Duhamel's former girlfriend Bianca Rojas-Latraverse, were arrested for the attack. Their brief relationship ended last year and Duhamel believes that she had a personal vendetta against him.
"Maybe it was about more than a robbery," said Duhamel to the press. "Maybe vengeance was involved. Maybe she wanted to hurt me."
Two other men, aged 22 and 26, were arrested in Montreal and were charged with breaking and entering, assault and stolen goods.
Duhamel's Rolex was recovered, although his WSOP bracelet was still missing, according to the police.
Before the recovery of the watch, Duhamel told the media: "I won't hide the fact that these two items have a much larger value for me than their commercial value, and I really hope we will be able to retrieve them."
24-year-old-year Duhamel won the No Limit Texas Hold 'em World Series of Poker championship in 2010, taking home the $8.9 million top prize after a spectacular showdown with the rest of the November Nine.
