Close to 150 leading cueists from 17 countries and territories worldwide are gathering for the Three-Cushion Carom Billiards World Cup, which will officially open in Ho Chi Minh City on May 25.

Qualifier round of the Three-Cushion Carom Billiards World Cup on May 24

Among them are world number one Caudron Frederic of Belgium, world number two and defending champion Merckx Eddy, also of Belgium, Spaniard David Martinez, Japanese Yusuke Mori and the Dutchman Sam Van Etten.

“The event will have a high competition as it attracts many famous names around the world. I will try my best to defend my title,” said Eddy.

Vietnam sent 18 cueists to the tournament, including 2017 Asian champion Nguyen Quoc Nguyen (World No 15), Tran Quyet Chien (No 18), Ma Minh Cam (No 17), 2017 Asian silver medallist Duong Anh Vu (No 26) and Ngo Dinh Nai (No 30)

Speaking at a press conference in the city on May 24, Nguyen Minh Hoang, President of the Asian Carom Billiard Confederation, said the tournament has received great financial and technical support from the World Billiards Union (UMB). This will help the tourney become more professional.

He revealed that total prize value this year will double that of 2017, with 16,000 EUR to be given to the champion, and 10,000 EUR and 6,000 EUR to the first and second runners-up respectively.

This is the fourth time HCM City has hosted the Billiards World Cup. The tournament will conclude on May 27.-VNA