Tran Thanh Luc has made history by reaching the semifinals of the Three-Cushion World Cup, becoming the 11th Vietnamese player to do so. Following victories in the round of 16 against Forthomme and in the quarterfinals against Merckx, Luc is set to compete against world number one Dick Jaspers in the semifinals. Other Vietnamese players were eliminated in earlier rounds, but Luc’s achievements mark a significant milestone for the sport in Vietnam.
In a remarkable achievement, Vietnamese cueist Tran Thanh Luc has reached the semifinals of the Three-Cushion World Cup. He secured a commanding victory against Forthomme with a score of 50-31 in the round of 16, which took place on Saturday. Following this, he continued his impressive performance, defeating Merckx 50-25 in تنها 22 innings during the quarterfinals the next morning, marking his first foray into World Cup semifinals and making him the 11th Vietnamese player to achieve this distinction.
The quarterfinals witnessed other Vietnamese players facing elimination. Chiem Hong Thai triumphed over Sweden’s Torbjorn Blomdahl with a score of 50-29 in 26 innings during the round of 16. However, he narrowly lost to Turkey’s Tolgahan Kiraz, ending his journey at 49-50 in 38 innings. Significant to note is that Vietnam’s top player, Tran Quyet Chien, was defeated by world number one, Dick Jaspers of the Netherlands, concluding with a score of 40-50 in 31 innings.
Additionally, former champion Tran Duc Minh was ousted in the round of 16, losing 26-50 to Turkey’s Berkay Karakurt in just 19 innings. The anticipation builds for the upcoming semifinals and final, which are slated for Sunday and Monday. Luc will face off against Jaspers in the first semifinal scheduled at 11 p.m. on Sunday, while the other semifinal match will feature Kiraz against his compatriot, Tayfun Tasdemir.
Tran Thanh Luc, born in 1990 in Binh Duong, Vietnam, comes from a family without a sporting background. He commenced his billiards journey in 2011, following his military service, and progressively climbed the ranks in amateur tournaments. By 2013, Luc was among Vietnam’s top 32 billiards players. He temporarily stepped away from competition in 2015 for employment at billiards clubs, eventually returning to the sport in 2018 and officially embarking on a professional career in 2019 as a member of Ho Chi Minh City’s billiards team.
His accomplishments include winning silver at the Asian Championship 2024, a prominent tournament in Asia, and achieving a runner-up position at the UMB World Three-Cushion Championship 2023 in Binh Thuan. Luc’s journey symbolizes determination and resilience, showcasing his talent and growth within the sport.
Tran Thanh Luc’s exceptional journey to the semifinals of the Three-Cushion World Cup highlights his growth from an amateur to a professional cueist. His victories in the earlier rounds and eventual ascent to the semifinals reflect both skill and perseverance. Although other Vietnamese players faced elimination, Luc’s success shines a light on the potential of Vietnamese billiards on the global stage. His story inspires aspiring athletes, illustrating the importance of tenacity and dedication in achieving one’s goals.
Original Source: e.vnexpress.net
