Vietnam’s top two billiard players, Tran Quyet Chien and Bao Phuong Vinh, both secured victories in their opening matches at the 76th World Championship 3-Cushion Individual in Binh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam on Wednesday.

Vinh is the current World Champion in 3-Cushion Billiards, while Chien, the runner-up, fell to Vinh in last year’s final.

Chien is currently ranked second in the world, while Vinh holds the No. 3 spot. 

In the Group C opening match, Chien faced Colombian player Daniel Morales.

Chien started off the match with a quick six points to take a 7-2 lead. 

He then followed up with an impressive 10-point run, extending his lead to 20-12.

Although Morales managed to tie the score at 23-23, Chien maintained his composure and won 40-30 after just 22 turns. 

This victory temporarily placed him at the top of Group C.

On Thursday, Chien will compete in his final group-stage match against Kostantinos Kokkori from Greece, who previously lost to Morales. 

Winning the match will help Chien finish the group stage in first place.

In Group A, defending champion Vinh also had a strong start, defeating Japan’s Takao Miyashita with a score of 40-23 in just 22 shots. 

In his final match, Vinh will face Nasser Awwad from Jordan.

On Wednesday, several other Vietnamese players also achieved victory. 

Among them was Tran Duc Minh, the Ho Chi Minh City World Cup 3-Cushion 2024 champion.

Minh stunned fans with a dominant 40-17 victory over world No. 6 Martin Horn of Germany in Group F, finishing the match in just 20 shots.

In Group P, Nguyen Van Tai defeated Berkay Karakurt from Turkey with a final score of 40-34 after 20 shots. 

Meanwhile, in Group N, Tran Thanh Luc triumphed over compatriot Le Thanh Tien with a score of 40-35.

The most heartbreaking performance came from Chiem Hong Thai in Group B. 

Although he was seen as an underdog against world No. 1 Dick Jaspers from the Netherlands, the Vietnamese player made several impressive shots as he started off the match with an impressive 12-point run.

However, Thai’s streak came to an end.

His next few shots only earned him a point or two each turn.

Jasper seized the opportunity and mounted an impressive comeback, clinching the match with a thrilling 40-37 victory.

The 76th World Championship 3-Cushion Individual kicked off on Wednesday and will conclude on Sunday.

The five-day event attracts 48 top players from 26 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. 

Seven players represent Vietnam at the tournament.

In the group stage, 48 players are divided into 16 groups, competing in a round-robin format to determine the top 32 players -- those who finsih first and second in each group -- who will advance to the knockout round. 

The tournament features a total prize pool of €200,000 (US$222,815), with the champion receiving €20,000 ($22,282).

The event’s matches are broadcast live in four languages by Afreeca TV.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!