VIERSEN - Top Belgian billiard player Frédéric Caudron (56) may return to the World Cups circuit. That was decided by the UMB, the world billiards federation, today during a meeting at the World Championships in Viersen. The come-back of the former three-time world champion in the UMB circuit is scheduled for the World Cup in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam from May 20-26 this year (2024).
The request to return after his almost four year adventure in the Korean professional federation PBA comes from the Belgian billiards federation. Mr Farouk Barki, president of the UMB, assured this Friday morning in Viersen: ’’We will not prevent a Frédéric Caudron’s return to the UMB. His suspension at UMB has been lifted and the Belgian federation has assured us that he does not want to play for the PBA anymore.''
Frédéric Caudron, who is counted among the absolute top players in the world of three-cushion, left the UMB for a lucrative Korean adventure, where he was also very successful, winning the PBA World Championship and 7 events, among others. Caudron won his world titles in the UMB in 1999 in Bogotá, 2013 in Antwerp and 2017 in Santa Cruz.
The Belgian left the PBA last year after a dispute about payments of prize money and sponsorship money. Last year, Caudron already played once in a balk-line match in France where he met Dutch player Raymund Swertz.
When Caudron decides to play in Ho Chi Minh (registration opens on Monday), he must start in the first preliminary rounds (PPPQ) and try to qualify for the main tournament in this long preliminary stage.
Caudron himself could not be reached for comment.
Frédéric Caudron, 3 world titles in the UMB, 1 in the PBA
Frédéric Caudron, come-back in World Cups expected in Ho Chi Minh, May 2024