The illustrious list of winners of the title of 3-cushion billiards world champion has been enriched by a completely new name. Phuong Vinh Bao, until recently a totally unknown billiard player from Vietnam, grabbed the 2023 world three cushion billiard title at the tournament held in Ankara, Turkey.
In a demonstration of skill and class, Tayfun Tasdemir has won the 2022 UMB 3-cushion world title. In Donghae City, South-Korea, he defeated Ruben Legazpi in a one-sided final: 50-14 in 15/14 innings. For Turkiye, it had been a nineteen-year wait since Semih Sayginer was world champion in 2003.
Pedro Piedrabuena defeated long-time rival and former champion Miguel Torres to win his 11th USBA 3-Cushion National Championship title.
His play throughout the event was nearly perfect and included an incredible come-from-behind victory against Kang Lee in the penultimate Semi-final round.
The UMB Men's 3-cushion World Championship - the major event held at year-end - has had both conflict and drama over the years. And what better way to relive some of those great moments than with a stroll down memory lane guided by Bert Van Manen, one of the game's greatest writers.. Enjoy Bert's story of 2001 - 2018 which first appeared in Kozoom, as you prepare to watch the next chapter unfold in the world championship.saga.
Snooker players are generally considered to be extremely dexterous and adaptable and the majority of them have probably flirted with the idea of trying their hand at other cue sports. Very few European players have been tempted by 3-cushion billiards over the years, but the great Ronnie O'Sullivan has recently bucked that trend. The 41-year-old traveled to the USA as part of his new TV series Ronnie O'Sullivan's American Hustle for the History channel where he enjoyed the opportunity to sample the game.
At the USBA Three-Cushion National Championship tournament held at the Casino del Sol Resort in Tucson, Arizona, the United States Billiard Association honored Paul Frankel, better known to the billiards world as Professor-Q-Ball, for his contribution to three-cushion billiards. More than anyone during the last fifteen years, Paul has been responsible for the resurgence of three-cushion billiards in America.