Kim Young-won is posing after defeating Eddie Refpens (Belgium, SK Rent-a-Car) in the round of 128 of the 5th tour ‘Huons PBA Championship’ of the 2023-2024 season, held at ‘Goyang KINTEX PBA Stadium’ in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do on the 25th, becoming the youngest winner. PBA
The youngest player in professional billiards (PBA) has done something. 16-year-old Kim Young-won caused a stir by defeating former champion Kang Ho.
Kim Young-won defeated Eddie Refpens (Belgium, SK Rent-a-Car) in the round of 128 of the 5th tour ‘Huons PBA Championship’ of the 2023-2024 season held at ‘Goyang KINTEX PBA Stadium’ in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do on the 25th. They succeeded in advancing to the round of 64 with a set score of 3 to 1.
He set the record for the youngest victory in PBA history. Kim Young-won recorded his first win in PBA history at the age of 16 years and 7 days.
Kim Young-won registered as the youngest player in the PBA this year. Earning his Challenge (Division 3) Tour wildcard, he made his Division 1 debut at the Welcome Savings Bank Wellbang Championship last January.
In particular, Kim Young-won left a strong impression at the ‘Crown Haitai PBA Championship’ last February with a performance so outstanding that even ‘Superman’ Jo Jae-ho (NH Nonghyup Card) was sweating. At the time, in the round of 128, Cho Jae-ho won the first and second sets and seemed to easily advance to the second round, but Kim Young-won turned the game around by winning the third set 15 to 12 and the fourth set 15 to 7.
Kim Young-won, who was a middle school student at the time, was not intimidated by Cho Jae-ho, last season’s MVP and the best player in the country. In the penalty shootout, the game continued to be a tight 2-2 tie. However, Kim Young-won’s first win was postponed as Jo Jae-ho’s shot led to a lucky score after a kiss.
After three or three attempts, Kim Young-won finally reported his first win in the first division. Kim Young-won lost the first set 10 to 15 against Lefence, the champion of this tournament two years ago. However, Kim Young-won made up for it by scoring 4 runs in the 11th inning while allowing an 11-13 comeback in the second set.
Kim Young-won, who gained momentum, calmly scored a point while Refence’s 3rd set hit was limited to 6 innings, making the set score 2 to 1 with 15 to 9. In the 4th set, he led 10 to 6 and scored 5 high runs in the 9th inning.
Kim Young-won, the youngest player at 16 years old, in action. PBA
After the victory, Kim Young-won expressed his confident feelings, saying, “The game did not go well,” but “I thought (Refence) was a strong opponent, but he was a worthy opponent.” Regarding his first professional victory, he said, “The experience of participating as a wild card in the last two first division tours and facing David Zapata (Spain ∙ Blue One Resort) and Jae-ho Cho was of great help to me.”
Regarding his goal for this season, Kim Young-won said, “I want to achieve good results in the remaining Dream Tour competitions and confidently enter the first division next season.” He then expressed his determination, saying, “I hope to meet Zapata again in this tournament,” and “I want to get revenge.”
Zapata (Blue One Resort), the first PBA champion, advanced to the round of 64 by defeating Jeong-Hoon Lee (B) with a set score of 3 to 0. Jo Jae-ho also defeated Jo Bang-yeon 3 to 1 and joined the round of 64.
Choi Seong-won (Huons), the first Korean player to win the World 3-Cushion Championships, reported his first win after 5 periods of 4 matches. He defeated Rutpi Chenet (Turkiye/High1 Resort) with a set score of 3 to 1 and tasted victory for the first time in 5 tours.
In addition, Birol Wimaz (Turkye∙Welcome Savings Bank), Jae-geun Kim, Tae-gwan Kim, Tae-jun Oh (Crown Haitai), Jan Chapak (Turkiye-Blue One Resort), and Hyun-seok Kim passed the first round. The ‘Huons PBA Championship’ will be held in the round of 64 following the opening ceremony on the afternoon of the 26th.
2023-10-27 13:10:35
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