BOTROP – The winner of the Asian final, a clash between Korea and Vietnam, beamed with happiness in the Colombian arena. Myung Woo Cho, in the prime of his billiards career, flaunted the trophy, the fans, and his girlfriend, and showed his wonderful smile after winning the World Cup in Bogota. He is the world number one in three-cushion billiards and is strengthening his position in the rankings. The final against Vietnamese player Thanh Luc Tran, which was evenly matched for ten innings, was launched by Cho with a fantastic run of 17 in the 11th inning. Four innings later, the score was already 40-26 in 15 in favor of the Korean wonder boy. The score faltered for a few innings in the closing stages, but Myung Woo Cho was ultimately able to finish with 7: 50-35 in 22. That was Cho's fourth victory in a World Cup after Egypt, Portugal, and Korea.
The cheerful Vietnamese loser quickly got over his disappointment. Thanh Luc Tran, defending champion after winning his only World Cup to date in Bogota last year, also played an excellent tournament. In the semi-finals, he eliminated Martin Horn and prepared for the clash with Myung Woo Cho, who was the winner in the semi-final against Tayfun Tasdemir.
It was the climax of the first World Cup of this year, which had long been dominated by European stars, but Horn, Tasdemir, and in the run-up to that last part, Sidhom, Jaspers, Karakurt, Zanetti, Merckx, and Caudron had to bow to the two Asians on the highest podium. Myung Woo Cho remains the clear leader of the world rankings with 418 points, ahead of Eddy Merckx with 350, Dick Jaspers with 342, Tayfun Tasdemir and Marco Zanetti with 322, Sameh Sidhom with 274, Martin Horn with 260, Berkay Karakurt with 247, Thanh Luc Tran with 243, and Frédéric Caudron with 227 ranking points.
The tournament in the Colombian city was of a remarkably high standard. The winner, Myung Woo Cho, played with an average of 1.915, Marco Zanetti, who finished 9th, emerged from the tournament with a magnificent 2.240. Three players, Jaspers, Zanetti, and Martinez, shone with match averages of 3.636. Colombian Luis Martinez was the stuntman with a run of 21, while Myung Woo Cho made 17 in the final.
The top 14 in the final standings featured only one Korean, the winner Myung Woo Cho. The major billiards nation was less visible than usual. That was partly because Haengjik Kim stayed home for a Provincial Sports Festival. The South Americans had Luis Martinez in 13th position and Jose Juan Garcia in 20th place. The best countries in the top 10 were Vietnam with Thanh Luc Tran (2nd) and Hong Chiem Thai (8th), and Turkey with Tayfun Tasdemir (3rd) and Berkay Karakurt (7th).
Semi-final matches
Myung Woo Cho defeated Tayfun Tasdemir in the semi-final after a battle that started with a 25-3 lead for Cho in the opening innings and turned into a display of power by the Korean in the final stages: 50-26 in 20/19. Martin Horn, who played such a strong tournament and beat Frédéric Caudron twice, among others, is also defeated by an Asian player. Thanh Luc Tran, who won last year, plays his way into the final again. He defeats Martin Horn 50-33 in 27 innings after a decisive run of 11 in the middle of the match.
The tournament overview:
Venezuelan Merlin Romero is the first day winner, followed by Henry Diaz from Colombia, Wan Young Choi from Korea, and in the final qualifying round, Phuong Vinh Bao from Vietnam.
Marco Zanetti, on his 64th birthday, leads the field in the first round of the main draw with 32 players. The Italian finishes with an average of 3.558 ahead of Sidhom, Jaspers, Bury, and Martinez, who makes his run of 21 in these sessions. Quyet Chien Tran is the most famous player to be eliminated before reaching the round of 16. The young Dutchman Sam van Etten is the only player to defeat the eventual champion Myung Woo Cho, but is himself eliminated after two losses.
Berkay Karakurt is the best winner in the round of 16 with a victory over Eddy Merckx. Tayfun Tasdemir wins a titanic battle against Marco Zanetti (40-38), Myung Woo Cho eliminates the last South American, Luis Martinez, from the tournament, and Martin Horn defeats Frédéric Caudron, the world champion.
In the session with 8, Karakurt is eliminated by Tasdemir (50-41), Thai by Cho (50-30), Jaspers by Tran (50-48), and Sidhom by Horn (50-48).
The tournament is characterized by flawless organization and packed stands on the final days. The next World Cup is in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from May 18 to 24.
The podium with Myung Woo Cho, Thanh Luc Tran, Martin Horn and Tayfun Tasdemir
Myung Woo Cho on fire after his win in the final
Just before the final start, the Asian clash with Thanh Luc Tran and Myung Woo Cho
Myung Woo Cho in his last points in front of the full stands
Thanh Lúc Trần, the runner up
The final score of the World Cup in Bogóta:
- Myung Woo Cho 12-1.915-17
- Thanh Luc Tran 10-1,698-11
- Martin Horn 8-1.562-10
- Tayfun Tasdemir 8-1.549-12
- Sameh Sidhom 8-1.735-10
- Dick Jaspers 8-1.626-11
- Berkay Karakurt 6-1.857-10
- Hong Chiem Thai 6-1,554-9
- Marco Zanetti 6-2,240-13
- Jérémy Bury 5-1.342-10
- Eddy Merckx 4-1,784-15
- Birol Uymaz 4-1.729-14
- Luis Martinez 4-1,725-21
- Frédéric Caudron 4-1.622-14
- Wan Young Choi 4-1.470-12
- Glenn Hofman 4-1.463-9
- Quyet Chien Tran 4-1.575-9
- Roland Forthomme 3-1.416-9
- Sergio Jimenez 2-1.661-11
- Jose Juan Garcia 2-1.480-11