Billiard player Chiem Hong Thai is in the top 4 strongest players of World Cup billiards.

Chiem Hong Thai defeated world number 3 Cho Myung-woo with a score of 50-28 in the quarter-finals of the 3-cushion carom World Cup in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on the evening of December 6.

Cho Myung-woo was once a world billiards prodigy who won all the most prestigious titles, such as World Cup champion, three-time world junior champion and was once number one in 3-cushion carom. He is the current world champion after defeating Tran Thanh Luc in the final of the 2024 World Championship in September in Binh Thuan.

However, Cho's reputation did not deter Hong Thai. The Vietnamese player entered the match in good form and full of confidence, having just unexpectedly defeated world number one Dick Jaspers in the round of 16 a few hours earlier.

With elegant strokes, Hong Thai scored points steadily to take the lead 22-13 and then 25-13 after the first round.

After the break, Hong Thai continued to play steadily, while the Korean player lost his rhythm, often making mistakes and having his balls kicked. Hong Thai was able to extend his lead to 33-18. He then launched an eight-point series, leading 41-18 before winning 50-28 after 31 innings.

Hong Thai is currently ranked 22nd in the world. He regularly participates in the World Cup and World Championship but rarely goes far. At this World Cup, the 25-year-old player has to compete from the final qualifying round to enter the official group stage.

The World Cup in Sharm El-Sheikh takes place from December 1-7, the final leg of this year. Vietnam has the most representatives in the group stage including Bao Phuong Vinh, Tran Duc Minh, Nguyen Chi Long, Chiem Hong Thai, Tran Quyet Chien and Tran Thanh Luc.

After the other players were eliminated, Hong Thai became the only hope left for Vietnam. In the semi-final match at 3 p.m. today, December 7 (Hanoi time), he will meet Eddy Merckx - the legendary player who won the World Cup 13 times.