The billiards competitions at the 2025 World Games got underway this Sunday in Chengdu, China, with seven gold medals to be decided by Thursday.
In the men’s snooker event, twelve players are split into four groups, with the top two in each advancing to the quarterfinals. Group A, featuring China’s Xiao Guodong, produced an early upset: after a 2–0 opening win over Iran’s Ali Gharahgozlou, Guodong later fell 1–2 to Poland’s Sebastian Milewski. The final group match is set for Monday.
In Group B, Muhammad Asif (Pakistan) and Germany’s Alexander Widau have already secured quarterfinal berths after each defeating China’s Xiaolong Liang 2–0. They will meet on Monday to decide the group winner.
Groups C and D have so far played only one match apiece, with Sourav Kothari (India) and Ali Al Obaidli (Qatar) claiming the early victories.
Women’s 6-Red:
The women’s 6-red snooker competition features eight players in two groups. In Group A, Hong Kong’s Man Yan So is on course for the semifinals with two wins, while India’s Natasha Chetan has suffered two defeats. Belgium’s Wendy Jans and Thailand’s Narucha Phoemphul each sit on one win and one loss, setting up a decisive Monday.
In Group B, only two of six matches have been completed, with Mei Mei Fong (Hong Kong) and Thailand’s Ploychompoo Laokiatphong starting with wins.
Heyball:
Heyball is a mixed-gender event played in a straight knockout format with 16 participants. Quarterfinal spots are already secured by Tianqi Shi (China), Chunxiao Tang (China), Jason Theron (South Africa), Alejandro Carvajal (Chile), Taiyi Zhang (China), and Xin Liu (China), who rallied from 2–2 to beat American Corey Deuel 5–2. The remaining first-round matches will be played on Monday.
Men’s 3-Cushion:
In men’s 3-cushion, Germany’s Martin Horn has booked his place in the final eight with two wins, locking up first place in his group. Erick Tellez (Costa Rica) and Myung Woo Cho (South Korea) will face off Monday for the second qualifying spot.
Group B opened with a shock as Dutch star Dick Jaspers suffered a heavy 21–40 loss to South Korea’s Jung Han Heo, who has already won the group. Jaspers must now beat American Pedro Piedrabuena on Monday to reach the quarterfinals.
In Group C, France’s Jeremy Bury defeated Colombia’s Luis Martinez 40–28, while in Group D, Egypt’s Sameh Sidhom dominated China’s Jiale Qian 40–8.
Women’s 3-Cushion:
The women’s 3-cushion event also has eight players split into two groups. Denmark’s Charlotte Sörensen is in pole position for the semifinals after beating both Vietnam’s Kien Tuong Phung and Colombia’s Claudia Lalinde. Lalinde, in turn, overcame Peru’s Jackeline Perez, who defeated Kien Tuong Phung — ensuring a tense final round on Monday.
In Group B, multiple world champion Therese Klompenhouwer (The Netherlands) opened with a 25–11 win over Karina Jetten, while Japan’s Ayaka Miyashita edged Turkey’s Gülsen Degener 25–20.
The pool 10-ball competitions for men and women also kicked off this weekend. Both fields have twelve players divided into four groups. In Women’s Group A, Germany’s Ina Kaplan beat neutral athlete Kristina Tkach 7–5, before Tkach bounced back with a tight 7–6 win over Spain’s Maria Teresa Ropero. Monday will decide the quarterfinalists.
In Group B, Germany’s Pia Filler split her two matches, beating Rubilen Amit (Philippines) 7–4 before falling 5–7 to China’s Shasha Liu.
Groups C and D have each played one match: Chezka Centeno (Philippines) swept past Savannah Easton (USA) 7–2, and Australia’s Meng-Hsia Hung overcame Argentina’s Soledad Ayala 7–4.
Men’s Pool:
In the men’s draw, Estonia’s Denis Grabe has locked up first place in Group A with two wins. Gerson Martinez (Peru) and Lincoln Muaulu (New Zealand) will duel on Monday for second place.
Group B saw Hungary’s Oliver Szolnoki edge Kun-Lin Wu (Chinese Taipei) 9–8. Wu rebounded in his second match, defeating Jeffrey de Luna (Philippines) 9–5. Szolnoki and De Luna meet Monday in what should be a close contest.
In Group C, Poland’s Daniel Maciol rolled past China’s Zhenqi Xue 9–3, while defending champion Joshua Filler (Germany) opened with a 9–5 win over Poland’s Wojciech Szewczyk in Group D.
Photos ©WCBS
All Photos ©WCBS
