Hanoi – Vietnam’s Tran Quyet Chien and Bao Phuong Vinh suffered a heartbreaking defeat to the Netherlands in the final of the World 3-Cushion Carom Team Championship on March 16, losing their title to the Dutch duo of Dick Jaspers and Jean Paul De Bruijn. Despite a valiant effort, the Vietnamese pair fell 4-0 in a dramatic showdown, marking the Netherlands’ fifth championship win. The loss ended Vietnam’s reign after their historic triumph in 2024, though their runner-up finish remains the country’s second-best result in the tournament’s history.
The final unfolded across two gripping tables. Bao Phuong Vinh started strong against De Bruijn, taking a 13-9 lead after 12 innings. However, the Dutch player mounted an astonishing comeback, scoring in 11 consecutive innings to surge ahead 36-27. De Bruijn reached the 40-point mark first, while Phuong Vinh managed only two points in his final break, falling 34-40 after 28 innings. Meanwhile, on the adjacent table, Tran Quyet Chien faced world number one Dick Jaspers. Jaspers hit 40 points with Quyet Chien trailing at 33, sealing the Netherlands’ victory even before the Vietnamese star could finish his break.
With the outcome decided, the organizers dimmed the lights and played victory music as De Bruijn rushed to embrace Jaspers. Quyet Chien, however, was allowed to complete his final shot under subdued lighting. The 42-year-old executed a six-cushion shot, earning applause from Jaspers, but finished with just five points in his break, losing 38-40 after 21 innings. Though he could have tied Jaspers at 40, it wouldn’t have changed the 3-1 team result—prompting the Netherlands’ clean 4-0 sweep. The Dutch veterans, both born in 1965, celebrated their triumph together, a testament to their enduring skill and teamwork.
Despite the defeat, Vietnam’s performance was remarkable. Last year, Quyet Chien and Phuong Vinh made history by winning the nation’s first world team title. This year’s silver medal underscores their consistency, with Vietnam posting the tournament’s highest average of 1.642 points per inning. Phuong Vinh shone brightly, winning all five of his preliminary matches before the final, averaging 1.708 points per inning. Quyet Chien, meanwhile, secured three victories and three losses across six matches, proving his resilience as Vietnam’s top-ranked player.
The final showcased both the brilliance and heartbreak of 3-cushion carom. Phuong Vinh’s early dominance gave way to De Bruijn’s relentless precision, while Quyet Chien’s battle with Jaspers highlighted the razor-thin margins at this level. Jaspers, ever the sportsman, waited respectfully as Quyet Chien finished his shot, later praising his opponent’s effort. “It was a tough fight,” Jaspers said. “Vietnam pushed us to our best.”
For Vietnam, the loss stings but fuels hope. Before 2024, the country had never medaled at this event. Now, with two podium finishes in a row, carom is gaining traction nationwide. “We didn’t win, but we showed we belong here,” said Phuong Vinh. “Next time, we’ll aim higher.” Quyet Chien echoed the sentiment, vowing to return stronger: “This is just one chapter. Our story isn’t over.”
Attention now turns to the next major 3-cushion event: the World Cup in Ho Chi Minh City, set for May 19-25. Last year, Tran Duc Minh claimed the title there, and Tran Thanh Luc recently won the Bogota World Cup, signaling Vietnam’s rising dominance in individual play. With a passionate fanbase and a growing talent pool, the nation’s carom stars are poised to reclaim their glory on home soil.
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