Billiards legend Blomdahl misses Ho Chi Minh City World Cup due to unexpected injury

Injuries while playing other sports

Torbjorn Blomdahl suffered an injury during a recreational game. The 1962-born player said he completely ruptured his right Achilles tendon during his first attempt at padel. Although there was no hard impact, a wrong move during the match caused the Swede to have serious problems. "I hadn't even touched the ball. I was just moving when I made a wrong move and completely ruptured my Achilles tendon. This was the first and probably the last time I played padel," said billiards legend Blomdahl.

According to the plan, Torbjorn Blomdahl must undergo surgery in Germany. It is expected that the 63-year-old player will need 3 to 4 months to recover from the injury. During this time, Blomdahl will definitely be absent from the World Cup billiards tournaments held in Ho Chi Minh City (currently taking place), Ankara (Türkiye), Porto (Portugal) and especially the 2025 World Games in China.

Torbjorn Blomdahl competing at the Ho Chi Minh City Billiards World Cup in 2024

PHOTO: INDEPENDENCE

Regrettable absence at the 2025 Ho Chi Minh City Billiards World Cup

Torbjorn Blomdahl currently holds the record for the most World Cup Billiards championships, with 48 titles. In addition, he also owns 7 World Championships, the most prestigious in the international 3-cushion carom billiards community. The Swedish player also won the Ho Chi Minh City World Cup Billiards championship in 2023.

If he does not suffer an unexpected injury, Blomdahl will participate in the 2025 Ho Chi Minh City Billiards World Cup, which will bring together many big names such as Frederic Caudron, Dick Jaspers, Tran Quyet Chien, Eddy Merckx... Previously, the Swedish player was scheduled to play from the final qualifying round of the 2025 Ho Chi Minh City Billiards World Cup. The absence of a legend like Torbjorn Blomdahl is not only a loss for this player personally, but also leaves a void in the tournament that Vietnamese fans are especially interested in.

Blomdahl currently holds the record with 46 World Cup billiards titles. The runner-up is Jaspers with 31 titles.

PHOTO: INDEPENDENCE

Risk of deep relegation

Torbjorn Blomdahl is currently ranked 16th in the World Carom Billiards Federation (UMB) rankings. The Swedish player's absence from the upcoming World Billiards Cup will likely have a major impact on his position in the UMB rankings.

"I have never missed more than one World Cup in my career. But this time, I am absent from three consecutive World Cups. It is very likely that I will continue to fall in rank. It is a pity, because since the end of last year, I have just regained my best form," the player born in 1962 expressed.

Blomdahl hopes to be back in time to compete in the Antwerp Billiards World Cup, which will take place from October 6 to 12. At the same time, the 2025 World Championship will also be held in Antwerp, Belgium, from October 14 to 18. "I hope to be back in time as the reigning Swedish national champion. However, I must quickly regain my form to be able to return to the top of the rankings," Blomdahl emphasized.

The 2025 Ho Chi Minh City 3-Cushion Carom Billiards World Cup will take place from May 19 to 25 at Nguyen Du Stadium (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City) organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Billiards & Snooker Federation (HBSF). The tournament will have the participation of 149 players, including the world's top superstars. The champion of the 2025 Ho Chi Minh City 3-Cushion Carom Billiards World Cup will receive 16,000 euros (about 467 million VND), the runner-up will receive 10,000 euros (about 291 million VND), and the two third-place players will receive a prize of 6,000 euros each (about 175 million VND).

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tuong-dai-billiards-blomdahl-lo-hen-world-cup-tphcm-vi-chan-thuong-bat-ngo-185250520125116963.htm