'Wrote New Asian Billiards History' Jo Myung-woo, 18-Year Record... Unique Sense of Duty as National Team Member "I Will Achieve the Best Possible Results at the World Championships"

*This content was translated by AI.

World ranking No. 1 in three-cushion billiards and South Korean national team player Jo Myung-woo (28, Seoul Metropolitan Government) has written new history for Asian billiards and returned home triumphantly.

On the 7th (Korean time), Jo secured the title at the '2026 Liege World Three-Cushion Billiards Cup' held in Liège, Belgium, claiming his sixth career World Cup championship.

This victory was particularly significant as it marked him as the Asian player with the most World Cup titles, reaching six career wins. Following a tie with the late Lee Sang-cheon's five wins at the Ankara Cup, this win established a solo record, surpassing Marco Zanetti (five wins) to place eighth all-time in World Cup victories.

Having won three times this year at Bogota, Ankara, and Liege, he became the first player since Dick Jaspers of the Netherlands in 2008 to win three or more World Cups in a single calendar year.

In the semi-finals, Jo defeated Vietnam's Bao Phuong Binh (ranked 11th) with a high run of 21 points and an average of 3.333, winning 50-30 after 15 innings. In the final, he faced Jaspers, one of the four greats of world three-cushion billiards. After leading against Jaspers in their second meeting this year following the Ankara Cup in June, Jo fell behind 34-37 but remained composed, adding seven points in the 15th inning to regain the lead and reaching 50 points in the 18th inning to claim the championship. His average was an impressive 2.777.

Returning through Incheon International Airport on the morning of the 8th, Jo could not hide his joy. According to the Korea Billiards Federation, Jo stated, "I am truly happy to have won the Liege World Cup," and added, "This is even more meaningful as it marks my sixth career World Cup title."

Reflecting on the final match, Jo said, "I realized that if I couldn't change the momentum while trailing, it would be difficult to control the game, so I gave my all."

Having defeated Jaspers consecutively in the finals to claim the title, Jo remarked, "It feels different this time because I am competing as a national team member," and added, "This has changed my mindset."

When asked about the driving force behind his three World Cup wins this year, he cited the strong momentum that began last year. Jo explained, "After winning two World Cups last season, I always vowed to achieve at least similar results next year and practiced accordingly. The good form I showed last year has continued well so far, and I believe my mood and momentum are excellent."

Jo Myung-woo's focus now turns to the World Championships. Competing as a South Korean national team member in the 78th World Three-Cushion Billiards Championship, scheduled from the 23rd to the 27th in Blois, France, Jo stated his determination: "As a national team player competing at the World Championships, I will do my best to achieve excellent results."

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*This content was translated by AI.