The new women's world three-cushion champion, Korean Shin Young Lee, is leaving for the PBA (LPBA) to continue her career. She is one of many ladies top players from UMB who has made the move to the Korean professional circuit. Shin Young Lee became world champion this year in Ankara.
The 40-year-old Korean defeated Japan's Yuko Nishimoto 30-18 in 26 innings in the final. In the quarter-finals, Lee outplayed the five-time, also 40-year-old world champion and title holder, Dutch Therese Klompenhouwer 30-14 in 23 innings.
Shin Young Lee joins in LPBA tour among others Orie Hida and Natsumi Higashiuchi, also former world champions at UMB and other well-known players like Sruong Pheavy, Namiko Hayashi and Ayako Sakai in the PBA.
How strong the women's competition is in the PBA was shown in the finals of one of the tournaments that ended today. Korea's Ga-young Kim won the tournament in the final against Sang-a Kim 4-1. Of the 32 players in the finals, 31 were from South Korea. Only Ayako Sakai was among those 32 finalists, but lost in that round, leaving 16 Korean players for the final stage.
Therese Klompenhouwer, ranked number 1 in the UMB rankings, reacted with surprise to the transfer of the current world champion. ’’I didn't expect it and it’s a pity she is leaving. The fact that she is Korean makes it easier for her to join the LPBA. I also do think she got a good offer with her world title. I myself will stay loyal to UMB, especially now that things are getting better there as well. Besides, I have good and reliable partners and sponsors. As long as I keep performing, I will have a good time at UMB. I will do everything I can to get back the world title.''
Shin Young Lee, leaving for the PBA