By Lee Han-soo
Kim Haeng-jik, 25, winner of four world junior billiard titles, has won his first World Cup championship title for three-cushion billiards.
Kim defeated Vietnam's Nguyen Quoc Nguyen 40-34 in 23 innings to win the Union Mondiale de Billard World Cup in Porto, Portugal, Monday.
The final started well for Kim, who ran nine up consecutive points from the start to build up an early 17-4 lead.
However, during mid-game Nguyen turn the tables to hold a 20-18 lead.
Kim then regained the lead to win the title.
Kim received worldwide attention before joining the senior competition after winning the World Junior Championship title and three other victories junior titles.
But before his latest victory, he had only managed runner-up title.
Kim, who had shown little emotion throughout the tournament, shouted his happiness from the winner's podium.
Kim earned 80 ranking points, raising his world ranking from ninth place to sixth place.
.jpg/dims/resize/740/optimize) |
| Kim Haeng-jik / Screen captured from YouTube |
Kim defeated Vietnam's Nguyen Quoc Nguyen 40-34 in 23 innings to win the Union Mondiale de Billard World Cup in Porto, Portugal, Monday.
The final started well for Kim, who ran nine up consecutive points from the start to build up an early 17-4 lead.
However, during mid-game Nguyen turn the tables to hold a 20-18 lead.
Kim then regained the lead to win the title.
Kim received worldwide attention before joining the senior competition after winning the World Junior Championship title and three other victories junior titles.
But before his latest victory, he had only managed runner-up title.
Kim, who had shown little emotion throughout the tournament, shouted his happiness from the winner's podium.
Kim earned 80 ranking points, raising his world ranking from ninth place to sixth place.
![[INTERVIEW] With '30 Days,' Kang Ha-neul finds new level of comfort in acting](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/83a5770de8d8420da3634fb8b78266c1.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] ONEUS returns as 'mermaid prince'](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/8cc3b8d992cd4b8bb43395b014670ca2.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
