Congratulations to Mike Rocco, Champion of Event #35 ($135,753)

Mike Rocco is the champion of Event #35 - $1,500 Seven Card Stud. He was, by far, the most emotional of the champions in the events that this reporter has covered thus far in the the 2008 World Series of Poker. He screamed, "Yes!" several times, both after crippling Barbieri and then eliminating him. He pumped his fist and flexed while screaming, then got hugs from several supporters and was in tears while on the phone with other supporters.

In addition to the champion's gold bracelet, which is already on Rocco's wrist, Rocco will collect $135,753 from the cage when he is done posing for photographs. Congratulations to Mike Rocco.