South Korean media praises Vietnamese as top Asian player in billiards World Cup

By Xuan Binh October 28, 2024 | 04:45 am PT

Vietnam's Tran Quyet Chien during the Three-Cushion World Cup knockout round in Veghel, Netherlands on Oct. 25, 2024. Photo by UMB

South Korean media have lauded Vietnam’s Tran Quyet Chien for becoming the most successful Asian player in the history of the Three-Cushion World Cup.

Chien secured his fourth World Cup title in Veghel, Netherlands, surpassing Japan's Nobuaki Kobayashi and South Korea's Kim Haeng-jik in achievements.

"Vietnam's top player, Tran Quyet Chien, defeated the ‘comeback king’ Frederic Caudron to become Asia’s most successful billiards player," wrote the South Korean publication The Billiards.

On Saturday, Chien’s victory against Caudron ended in a 50-38 score, despite starting with no points in the first five turns. Caudron, 56, who returned to the World Union of Billiards (UMB) after a stint with the Professional Billiards Association (PBA), reached his first World Cup final since his comeback. He faced physical issues during the tournament, which forced him to leave the awards ceremony early.

In the final, Caudron scored only seven points in five turns, losing his opportunity to control the game. The last encounter between the two players was at the Porto World Cup in July 2023, where Chien won narrowly with a 40-38 score after 19 turns in the group stage. Chien now leads their head-to-head record with five wins and three losses.

Chien's previous World Cup titles include victories over Ngo Dinh Nai in the 2018 Ho Chi Minh City final, Sameh Sidhom in Porto 2023, and Bogota 2024. Global billiards website Kozoom praised Chien’s rise

"Quyet Chien's accomplishments are growing rapidly," wrote Kozoom. "He is Vietnam's top player, and the nation's success in billiards is not accidental. Vietnam is now emerging as a competitor to South Korea by producing several champions."

Vietnam has produced three World Cup champions under the UMB: Chien, with four World Cup titles and one World Championship for National Teams; Bao Phuong Vinh, who has won one World Championship and one National Teams title; and Tran Duc Minh, who has secured one World Cup victory.

Currently, Chien is aiming for the year-end ranking prize of $30,000, leading with 222 points. World number one Dick Jaspers is in second place with 168 points. A World Cup victory grants 80 points, while the runner-up receives 54 points. Additionally, another Vietnamese player, Tran Thanh Luc, is also among the top 10 contenders in this race.