Billiards in Binh Dinh Province is flourishing.

At the 2023 National Billiards and Snooker Championship (Round 1), the players from Binh Dinh achieved unexpected success. This is considered an important milestone, building confidence for the athletes in subsequent tournaments.

The 2023 National Billiards and Snooker Championship (Round 1) took place from March 13-23 in Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province, attracting nearly 1,600 athletes. Of these, the 3-cushion carom event alone had nearly 1,300 registered competitors. This is considered one of the most demanding events, as reaching the final round requires a grueling journey for the players. Not only did it attract many excellent players from all over the country, but simply keeping track of the varying match schedules was a major challenge. In the early rounds, many players left the arena just before midnight.

Billiards player Huynh Xuan Chau continues to demonstrate his class at the national level, reaching the finals in both the 1-cushion and 3-cushion carom events. Photo: HOANG QUAN

Participating in the tournament with 31 athletes competing in the 1-cushion and 3-cushion carom events, the Binh Dinh team had a modest contingent compared to many other provinces and cities. However, with high determination, improved professional skills, and a strong competitive spirit, the players from Binh Dinh secured 4 more spots in the finals. This was a tournament where player Le Dinh Sy shone, reaching the finals of the 1-cushion carom event for the first time. Furthermore, he excellently won third place overall and earned an additional spot in the 3-cushion carom final.

Huynh Xuan Chau's diligent playing style, like that of a seasoned engineer, helped him secure a place in the 3-cushion carom billiards final, completing a double win this season (he had already avoided relegation in the 1-cushion carom billiards event last season). Throughout their journey in this tournament, Xuan Chau and Dinh Sy staged some classic comebacks after falling far behind. Dinh Sy even overcame a top player in the 1-cushion carom billiards event. However, this fierce competition also prevented other high hopes of Binh Dinh billiards, such as Cao Thanh Truc (the reigning champion of the 1-cushion carom billiards event at the National Sports Games), Tran Ha Thanh, and Le Dinh Dung, from reaching the finals.

Besides the familiar billiards players of Binh Dinh, the highlight of this year's tournament is the appearance of the "newcomer" Nguyen Van Duong, who successively defeated many excellent players such as Tran Duc Minh (Da Nang, the reigning champion of the 3-cushion carom event at the National Sports Games), Truong Quang Hao ( Ho Chi Minh City)... to win second place in the 3-cushion carom event. Nguyen Van Duong currently lives in Chau Doc City, An Giang province, but his hometown is Binh Dinh, so this year he decided to join the Binh Dinh team. Nguyen Van Duong's intelligent, calm, and gentle playing style always attracts the attention of many fans.

Coach Vo Dinh Hung of the Binh Dinh billiards team said: “This year's tournament has a record number of athletes, but it shows the maturity of many Binh Dinh players. I am very satisfied with what they have achieved, although I also feel a little regret for Thanh Truc or Ha Thanh due to a lack of luck. I am seeking the opinion of the leaders of the Provincial Sports Training and Competition Center on increasing the number of team slots so that Nguyen Van Duong can join the Binh Dinh billiards team. Then, the team will be much stronger, able to compete for high positions in national tournaments; and the players will have more internal opponents to improve their professional skills.”

Witnessing the impressive performance of the billiards players from Binh Dinh, a billiards enthusiast connected with a business to sponsor competition uniforms for four athletes from Binh Dinh in the final round. Although the sponsorship value is modest, this is the beginning of a social initiative, helping to increase motivation for athletes in this sport.

HOANG QUAN

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