Unstoppable: Ga Young Kim Accomplishes World 10-Ball Dream

Nov 25, 2012

Manila, Philippines- Unbelievably Korea's Ga Young Kim had reached the semi-finals of the Yalin Women's World 10-Ball three consecutive years in a row. Without a win. But this time she finally overcame her demons to claim World Championship glory for her country. Kim on her second appearance in the finals of the the Yalin Women's World 10-Ball Championship, faced last year's #1 in the world Siming Chen of China, and completely dominated the championship match. Kim's victory has put South Korea back on top of women's pool.
Ga Young Kim celebrates a 4 year dream come true
An elite 48 world class pros and international women superstars fought it out in Manila. With the one goal in mind: to become the World Champion of 10-Ball.
A total of 9 World Champions from Korea, Philippines, China, Austria, England, and Taiwan would be vying for this year's Yalin Women's World 10-Ball Championship. The press conference held at Crowne Plaza featured a Q&A with the stars with media from all around the world including journalists from China, Japan, and Philippines. Out of the 9 World Champions, only three of them have a title in this event which are Rubilen Amit (2009), Jasmin Ouschan (2010), and Kelly Fisher (2011).
9 World Champions will play for the World 10-ball Championship in Manila this week. w/ Charlie Williams (Dragon Promotions), Marcel Sabio (Championship Cloth) Eric Ding (Yalin Billiards) Shane Sinnott (OB Cues) . Photos courtesy Emille BBoy Soriano & Alison Chang
This was the biggest sports event of the year for women in host country Philippines. Featuring the best players from Italy, Japan, China, Canada, Australia, Indonesia, South Korea, Russia, South Africa, India, Iran, Netherlands, Sweden, Venezuela, England, Norway, Taiwan, Austria, and Singapore.
"This is my first international event overseas where my coach hasn't been with me. But we still talk everyday and he reminds me what I need to do. He has been coaching me since I was four years old, so I already know what he wants me to do", said Jasmin Ouschan of Austria in her fourth appearance here at the World 10-Ball.
"The talent in pool was much higher than I thought when I first came over to the United States. I didn't win as much as I thought I would. It took me a long time to win my first World Championship in pool which was here in Manila last year. It gave me a lot of confidence which has carried on since then", said Kelly Fisher of England who is the defending champion of the event.
"Am I here to win or have a good time? That's a good question. Actually it's my first time here in the Philippines and I brought my family and friends with me. So I feel very relaxed and very happy to be here. I think I'll play well because of that", said Xiao Ting Pan of China, the country's top star and former World 9-Ball winner.
"Winning the World 10-Ball Championship was a life changing moment. At the time, the win helped me and my family financially, so the timing couldn't have been better for us", said Rubilen Amit who went on to win two more huge title with Efren Reyes at the World Mixed Doubles in back to back wins.
"I want to win this World 10-Ball more than any other event. I always want to win the biggest tournaments, and have not been able to win this yet", said Korea's Ga Young Kim, a former 2x World 9-Ball champion.
Blood Battles in Qualifiers:
Taiwan utterly dominated the first day of the World Championship in the qualifying rounds taking the first 4 spots. The heats were open to any woman willing to take a shot at the world's biggest title in lady's billiards. Players from China, Japan, Taiwan, and Philippines will be the dominant forces in the Stage 1 field fighting their way into Stage 2 to become one of the elite 48 players of the Yalin Women's World 10-Ball Championship.
The Taipei team of women shutout the contingents from Japan, China, and hometown Philippines. Unfortunately, Taiwanese heroine Shin Mei Liu, a 2x World Champion in 9-Ball, made it to the semis twice both in Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2, but lost the deciding matches and missed the cut both times. She eventually made it in the last heat.Taiwan has long been the arch rivals of the Philippines in pocket billiards, so it will be interesting to see how this week unfolds in Manila.
Mark this name as one to remember in the near future, Cheska Centeno. The Filipina 13 year old won the 3rd qualifying heat of the Yalin Women's World 10-Ball Championship Stage 1. She will be joining her first World Championship amongst the world's elite and perhaps following the footsteps of Philippines most prized women's athletes, Rubilen Amit.
"Cheska is seriously good", observed Emille "Bboy"Soriano, co-event manager of the World 10-Ball Championship and expert billiards commentator for ABS-CBN.
"I played with Cheska 2 years ago and was impressed by her game. I'm really happy to be a role model for young girls playing pool in the Philippines", said Amit, the 2009 World 10-Ball Champion.