World 3-Cushion Championship: Vietnamese Billiard Players Triumph in Opening Matches

The 76th World Championship 3-Cushion Billiards tournament witnessed an intense rivalry between the current champion, Vinh, and the runner-up, Chien.

As the tournament unfolded, Chien, ranked second worldwide, aimed to dethrone Vinh, who held the number three spot.

In the Group C opener, Chien faced off against Daniel Morales from Colombia.

Displaying his prowess, Chien surged ahead with an early six-point lead, extending it to 7-2.

He continued his stellar performance with a remarkable 10-point run, pulling ahead to a commanding 20-12 lead.

Although Morales staged a comeback to tie the game at 23-23, Chien remained unfazed. He showcased his resilience and ultimately clinched the match with a score of 40-30 in just 22 turns, temporarily claiming the top spot in Group C.

On Thursday, Chien will face his final group-stage challenge against Kostantinos Kokkori from Greece, aiming to secure the first-place finish in the group.

Meanwhile, in Group A, the defending champion Vinh demonstrated his skill with a commanding performance against Japan’s Takao Miyashita, defeating him 40-23 in a mere 22 shots.

Vinh’s final match will be against Nasser Awwad from Jordan.

Vietnamese billiards player, Bao Phuong Vinh, during his opening match at the championship. Source: Union Mondiale de Billard

Wednesday also witnessed the triumph of several other Vietnamese players.

Notably, Tran Duc Minh, the Ho Chi Minh City World Cup 3-Cushion 2024 champion, astounded fans with a dominant 40-17 victory over Germany’s Martin Horn, ranked sixth in the world, in Group F. Minh accomplished this feat in just 20 shots.

In Group P, Nguyen Van Tai emerged victorious against Turkey’s Berkay Karakurt with a final score of 40-34 after 20 shots.

In Group N, it was a battle between compatriots as Tran Thanh Luc overcame Le Thanh Tien with a score of 40-35.

However, the most captivating performance came from Chiem Hong Thai in Group B.

Thai, considered an underdog against the world’s number one player, Dick Jaspers from the Netherlands, commenced the match with a stunning 12-point run, astonishing the audience.

Unfortunately, his streak came to an end, and he could only manage a point or two in the subsequent shots.

Seizing the opportunity, Jaspers mounted a remarkable comeback, ultimately winning the match 40-37 in a thrilling finish.

Chiem Hong Thai of Vietnam during his match against the world number one player. Source: Union Mondiale de Billard

The 76th World Championship 3-Cushion Billiards tournament, a five-day event, commenced on Wednesday and will conclude on Sunday.

It has brought together 48 top players from 26 countries across the globe, showcasing their talent and determination.

Vietnam is proudly represented by seven skilled players in this prestigious tournament.

During the group stage, these 48 players are divided into 16 groups, battling it out in a round-robin format to determine the top 32 who will advance to the knockout round.

With a substantial prize pool of €200,000 (approximately US$222,815) and a champion’s reward of €20,000 ($22,282), the tournament promises intense competition and thrilling matches.

Afreeca TV is broadcasting the event live in four languages, ensuring that billiards enthusiasts worldwide can follow the action.

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