The top 16 pros of the World Nineball Tour are confirmed to compete at the 2024 Mansion Sports Hanoi Open October 8-13 in the heart of Vietnam, sponsored by leading sports investment firm, Mansion Sports & Entertainment Group.
In partnership with UK broadcaster Sky Sports and Vietnam broadcaster Vietcontent, this electrifying spectacle on the World Nineball Tour will once again grace the Hanoi Indoor Games Gymnasium within the Vietnam National Sports Complex.
SPECTATORS TICKET INFORMATION TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON
The WNT top 16:
1. Fedor Gorst – World champion and World Pool Masters champion
2. Francisco Sanchez Ruiz – 2023 World champion
3. Eklent Kaçi – 2023 UK Open champion
4. Ko Ping Chung – US Open champion
5. Jayson Shaw – Hanoi Open champion
6. Joshua Filler – 2018 World Pool champion
7. David Alcaide – 2023 European Open champion
8. Wiktor Zielenski – 2024 World Championship quarter-finalist
9. Aloysius Yapp – Team Asia Reyes Cup qualifier
10. Shane Van Boening – Five-time US Open champion
11. Ko Pin Yi – 2023 World Pool Masters champion
12. Johann Chua – 2024 European Open Championship runner-up
13. Mario He – 2023 World championship semi-finalist
14. Mickey Krause – European Open champion
15. Skyler Woodward – 2024 Team US Mosconi Cup captain
16. Moritz Neuhausen – 2023 World Cup of Pool runner-up
This year’s event will see the reigning Hanoi Open champion Jayson Shaw joined by an elite roster of pool players. The new World Champion and WNT No.1 Fedor Gorst, the 2023 World Champion Francisco Sanchez Ruiz, and the US Open champion Ko Ping Chung are among the many talents returning for their second year.
Jayson Shaw said: “I know defending my title in Hanoi will be a challenge this year, with the level of competition set to be higher than ever before. Nonetheless, I’m ready to fight for what’s mine and claim the crown in Hanoi city once more.”
Top cueists making their debut at this year’s Hanoi Open include Joshua Filler, Eklent Kaçi and Witkor Zielenski.
Eklent Kaçi, who was unable to compete in last year’s tournament due to an injury, shared his excitement: “I’ve been looking forward to this event all year. Missing out last year was tough, but I’m ready to bring my best game to Hanoi. Winning the Hanoi Open this year would be the perfect way to showcase my talent and set the stage for the Reyes Cup the following week.”
The Hanoi Open Pool Championship will feature 256 players battling it out for $200,000 prize fund over the course of six thrilling days.
This year’s tournament aims to build upon the overwhelming success of its inaugural event, which saw 3,000 fans in attendance for the final. With an even stronger lineup this year, the World Nineball Tour top 128 signed professionals will feature alongside the global qualifiers of 2024. Full event draw to be announced in the coming months.