Vietnamese cueist Chiem Hong Thai delivered a stunning performance by defeating world number three Cho Myung-woo with a score of 50-28 in the quarterfinals of the 3-Cushion Carom World Cup held in Sharm El-Sheikh on the evening of December 6. This remarkable victory propels him into the semifinals and marks a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.
Cho Myung-woo, 26, is renowned as a billiards prodigy, having secured some of the sport’s most prestigious titles. His accolades include winning the World Cup, being a three-time World Junior Champion, and previously holding the world number one ranking in 3-cushion carom. He is also the reigning world champion after defeating Vietnam’s Tran Thanh Luc in the 2024 World Championship final in Binh Thuan last September.
Despite Cho’s formidable reputation, Chiem Hong Thai showed no signs of intimidation. The 25-year-old Vietnamese player entered the match with high confidence, buoyed by his unexpected victory over current world number one Dick Jaspers in the Round of 16 earlier that day.
From the outset, Hong Thai demonstrated exceptional skill and composure. With a series of precise shots, he quickly established a commanding lead of 16-5. Cho attempted a comeback with an impressive eight-point run, narrowing the gap to 13-16. However, Hong Thai remained unflustered, consistently scoring to extend his lead to 22-13 and then 25-13 by the end of the first half.
After the intermission, Hong Thai maintained his steady performance, while Cho struggled to regain his rhythm, making several errors and facing unfavorable ball positions. Capitalizing on these opportunities, Hong Thai widened the margin to 33-18. He then delivered another eight-point series, pushing his lead to 41-18. Ultimately, he secured a decisive victory with a final score of 50-28 after 31 innings.
Ranked 22nd globally, Chiem Hong Thai often participates in World Cups and World Championships but has rarely advanced this far. In Sharm El-Sheikh, he began from the final qualifying round to earn a spot in the main group stage. Despite a loss to Jaspers in the group stage, victories over Javier Vera and compatriot Tran Duc Minh allowed him to progress.
The World Cup in Sharm El-Sheikh, running from December 1 to 7, is the year’s final event, featuring top cueists worldwide. Vietnam fielded the most players in the group stage, including Bao Phuong Vinh, Tran Duc Minh, Nguyen Chi Long, Chiem Hong Thai, Tran Quyet Chien, and Tran Thanh Luc. After the group stage, Bao Phuong Vinh, Tran Duc Minh, and Nguyen Chi Long were eliminated.
In the Round of 16, seasoned players Tran Quyet Chien and Tran Thanh Luc were also knocked out, leaving Chiem Hong Thai as Vietnam’s sole representative. His remarkable run has ignited hope among Vietnamese billiards enthusiasts.
Next, Chiem Hong Thai will face legendary Belgian cueist Eddy Merckx in the semifinals at 3:00 PM Hanoi time on December 7. Merckx, a 13-time World Cup champion, presents a formidable challenge. However, given Hong Thai’s current form and recent victories over top-ranked players, another upset is possible.
Chiem Hong Thai’s unexpected triumphs at the Sharm El-Sheikh World Cup highlight his talent and determination, signaling the rising prominence of Vietnamese billiards on the international stage. Fans eagerly await his upcoming match, hopeful that he can continue his extraordinary journey and bring further acclaim to his country.
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