GANGWON-DO - While the Europeans play their championship of Europe in all billiard disciplines in Antalya in April, the Asians will do so in a fortnight in Gangwon-do, Korea. There, the men's, women's and juniors' three-cushion and one cushion are scheduled between March 23 and 26. Vietnamese Quyet Chien Tran is the defending champion in three-cushion. Total participation in the men's event stands at 32, divided into eight groups of four players. 10 Koreans, 10 Japanese and 10 Vietnamese have been invited to the tournament, plus the defending champion Tran and a wildcard from the organization.
The organization of the Asian championship is in the hands of the Korean Billiards Federation. The matches will be broadcast by BilliardsTV.
Vietnamese Minh Cam Ma is the Asian champion in one cushion, but he has not been invited due to his move to the PBA. Vietnamese Vinh Phuong Bao, who eliminated Dick Jaspers in the Las Vegas World Cup and also beat the Dutchman in the Silver Open Cup in Los Angeles a week before the World Cup, will make his debut at the championship.
The competitors in all disciplines pay 100 euros to participate. The winner in three-cushion will receive 10 million Korean won is 7,500 euros, the number two 5 million Korean won. All top players from South Korea, Vietnam and Japan have been selected for the championship, where the winner will earn 80 ranking points for the UMB rankings.
In under-22 and women's three-cushion there is a field of 16 players. The winner in the ladies will get 3 million Korean won, 2,200 euros.
The defending champion Quyet Chien Tran here in a match with Dick Jaspers