BINH DUONG/BOGÓTA - The new star in Vietnamese billiards only started his career when he was 20. Thanh Luc Tran made his jump to the world top last Sunday at 35 years old with his victory in the World Cup in Bogóta. The amiable family man, who lives with his wife and 10-year-old daughter in Binh Duong, returned to reality one day ago. With his Vietnamese billiards colleagues, Tran made the trip back home with a magnificent trophy in his luggage. The breakthrough of Vietnamese billiard players was even more sensationalized in the South American country. Two players are in the top five rankings now along with Dick Jaspers, Myung Woo Cho and Eddy Merckx. The still young billiard nation has delivered another uninhibited winner.
Who is Than Luc Tran, or as it is written in Vietnamese Trần Thanh Lực? He already was second as a relatively unknown player at the World three cushion championship played in Vietnam last year, followingtoeval Myung Woo Cho, the new champion. Tran demonstrated in Bogóta that he is not just a one-hit wonder in this country of many emerging talents.
Kozoom spoke to the Bogóta winner after returning to his country where he was gloriously received on the home front. ’’I came home after a long journey, was happy to be back, especially with that wonderful success, but I was so tired that I went to bed almost right away.
Kozoom/FB: Time to have an introduction to the new world number 4. In short: tell us about yourself, Mister Tran?
Thanh Luc Tran: My hometown is Binh Duong, which is 40 km from Ho Chi Minh City. I’m married to Nguyen Truc Phuong and have a 10-year-old daughter, Tran Tue Man. I started playing billiards, three-cushion, when I was 20, which is definitely a bit late compared to many other players.
Kozoom/FB: Why did you choose billiards as a sport and hobby?
Thanh Luc Tran: I didn't have much choice because I live in a rural area, but I also took up billiards because of my physical conditions (1.65 tall, 74 kilos), which made me suitable for this kind of sport. So I have been playing for 15 years now and in these years, billiards has become a significant, trendy sport in my country.
Kozoom/FB: How popular billiards really is in Vietnam now?
Thanh Luc Tran: I can tell you that billiards clubs are opened everywhere in Vietnam, the sport is played everywhere. In Vietnam, we have the expression ’job choose you, not you choose job’. That’s what it was with me. After high school, I did my military service immediately, so that's why I didn't really have a profession. I started playing three-cushion as a hobby. Surprisingly, I was qualified for my first attendant in national competition, even though I think I was lucky to be qualified. Then, billiards choose me as a job.
Kozoom/FB: Who are the players you often hang out with and make the trips to tournaments?
Thanh Luc Tran: The well-known players, like Tran Quyet Chien, Bao Phuong Vinh, Chiem Hong Thai, players with whom I always practice and travel with. We are all in nation team, but in our country we don't really have a national ranking. I can rate myself among top 10 players in my country. Especially after my second place last year at the World championships played in our country. And in 2022, I also came second at the Asian championship.
Kozoom/FB: What explains the breakthrough of so many strong players in Vietnam?
Thanh Luc Tran: The number of billiard clubs are increasing significantly, so that we have more chances to practice. Players are considered it as a job wo they train and play very hard and serious. The supporting from government, organizations have increased in this period and also made this sport more attractive.
Kozoom/FB: Tell us about the matches in Bogóta, especially the final stage against Jaspers, Merckx and Tasdemir?
Thanh Luc Tran: They were all difficult matches for me. I stayed focused and did my best on every shot. Winning the tournament was overwhelming, until now I can't imagine having done something so big.
Kozoom/FB: How does Thanh Luc Tran live for his sport?
Thanh Luc Tran: I can say I live like a healthy person, even though I smoke and drink a bit, but I keep it under control.
Kozoom/FB: Who is the player internationally that you look up to and are a fan of?
Thanh Luc Tran: Frédéric Caudron is my favorite player. I’m still watching the the way he plays and learn the technique from him
Kozoom/FB: How is sponsorship in Vietnam, are players being supported in their training?
Thanh Luc Tran: I have quite a number of sponsors and would like to list a few: Min table, Million tips, Tuong Thanh billiard and Cohay review. These sponsors are supporting me a lot in terms of financing and consulting other aspects apart from billiards.
Kozoom/FB: How do you look at the next few years? How difficult will it be to stay on top of the rankings?
Thanh Luc Tran: I’m not sure how things will go in the next World Cup events. But I will try my best to stay in the top 14.
Kozoom/FB: What do the days of this Vietnamese World Cup winner look like?
Thanh Luc Tran: I own a small training room in Ho Chi Minh City where I teach three cushion billiards when I don't have to play tournaments. I also practice myself in my training room. I would like to invite you and Kozoom team to come and have a look in my place. I also have my own YouTube channel ‘tranthanhluc.3bang’. I recommend people to check that out to get to know me even better.
Thanks so much to Kozoom for the interview!!!
Thanh Luc Tran lifting his hands and his cue after the winning point in Bogóta
The World Cup winner back home with his girls: his wife and daughter
The podium from left to right: Tayfun Tasdemir, Thanh Luc Tran, Dick Jaspers, Tolgahan Kiraz
Thanh Luc Tran, showing his joy to the world
Thanh Luc Tran in his final match with Tasdemir
The new Vietnamese star on his way to the finals