Latest news with #AsianSix-RedChampionship
New Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Malaysian snooker still excels despite budget cuts, says federation president
KUALA LUMPUR: Budget cuts and limited exposure have never stopped Malaysia's snooker stars from shining, and Thor Chuan Leong 's latest triumph proves it yet again. The 37-year-old created history by becoming the first Malaysian to win the Asian Six-Red Championship in Colombo on Wednesday, a feat hailed as a timely morale booster by Malaysian Snooker and Billiards Federation (MSBF) president Melvin Chia. With the Thailand Sea Games on the horizon, Chuan Leong's stunning victory couldn't have come at a better time. Compounding the good news, compatriot Lim Kok Leong also impressed by reaching the quarter-finals in what was his first international appearance in nearly two years. "There wasn't much expectation, especially for Kok Leong, as this was his first official overseas tournament since the 2023 Sea Games," said Melvin. "Due to budget constraints, we couldn't send our players to any officially-sanctioned events abroad over the past two years. But they stayed composed and delivered when it mattered." Chuan Leong's resurgence marks another chapter in Malaysia's golden era of snooker, led by himself, Kok Leong, and Moh Keen Ho — a trio that has carried the nation's hopes on the regional, continental and world stages since 2007. Keen Ho clinched singles gold at the 2007 Thailand Sea Games. Chuan Leong followed up with doubles gold alongside Sam Chong in Indonesia 2011, the six-red title in Myanmar 2013, and both singles and doubles (with Keen Ho) in Singapore 2015. Kok Leong captured six-red gold in Vietnam 2021 and doubles gold with Keen Ho in the Philippines 2019. Malaysia continued to dominate at the 2023 Cambodia Games, with Chuan Leong taking singles gold and Keen Ho winning the six-red event. The team also bagged silver in doubles (Kok Leong-Keen Ho) and two bronzes - Kok Leong in singles and the six-red doubles with Keen Ho. Beyond the region, Malaysia's proudest moment on the amateur world stage came in 2015 when Keen Ho and Kok Leong lifted the World Team Championship in Pakistan. "Chuan Leong came into this event hungry after losing his World Snooker Tour status," said Melvin. "His performance revealed both strengths and areas to improve, which will help us fine-tune his Sea Games preparations. "Kok Leong also had his moments, but unforced errors in the quarter-finals showed what still needs work. "The MSBF will continue sending both players to regional and international events through to the year-end, in the hope of sharpening them for Thailand, and ultimately, bringing home more gold medals."
New Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Chuan Leong makes history with Asian Six-Red snooker crown
KUALA LUMPUR: National snooker ace Thor Chuan Leong delivered a career-defining performance to win the Asian Six-Red Championship in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Wednesday, becoming the first Malaysian to clinch the prestigious title. The 37-year-old capped a dominant campaign by overpowering India's Paras Gupta 6-2 (50-5, 44-2, 8-62, 42-12, 47-40, 1-51, 36-24, 48-2) in the final of the best-of-eleven contest. Chuan Leong's triumph surpasses the previous national best of a runner-up finish achieved by Moh Keen Ho in 2016 and adds to his continental honours following his 2014 Asian Snooker Championship win. "It's really touching, and I'm super happy. It's been a long time since I last won a tournament - I honestly forgot what it felt like to win," said Chuan Leong. "This time, I managed to hold myself together and truly believed I could do it. That's what made this title so special for me." The Penang-born cueist was in sublime form throughout the knockout rounds, brushing aside Singapore's Jaden Ong (5-1), Hong Kong's Man Ming Wa (5-0) and 2013 champion Mohammed Asif of Pakistan (5-2) en route to the final. His success in Colombo comes as a welcome boost after a challenging year, having recently lost his place on the World Snooker Tour following the conclusion of the 2024-25 season. Chuan Leong, who earned a two-year tour card through the Asia-Oceania Q-School in 2023, was unable to reclaim it in either of the two qualifying legs in Bangkok last month. The Asian Six-Red crown marks a timely resurgence for Chuan Leong, who had only previously made the quarter-finals of the same tournament in 2023. Chuan Leong hopes the victory will serve as a springboard for the rest of the year, including the six-red discipline at the Sea Games, which he last won in 2013. "This win gives me a lot of confidence, not just for the Sea Games, but for any upcoming tournament," he said. Meanwhile, compatriot Lim Kok Leong also put up a commendable display, reaching the quarter-finals before falling 5-3 to Asif. Kok Leong was a semi-finalist in 2022. Chuan Leong and Kok Leong will now shift their focus to the Asian Team Championship, which gets underway on Thursday at the same venue. "This win lifts me up, and Kok Leong is also a very strong player. We support each other well, so I believe we can do something together as a team," said Chuan Leong. As for his future, Chuan Leong is keeping an open mind. "I'm not sure about Q-School yet. Maybe I'll try out Chinese eight-ball or even nine-ball and just see how things go from here."
