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SPM Billiards Magazine Issue 33
Ko Ping ChungPart Two
By Patrick Sampey
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Thursday, September 22nd, 2022 –
“I am currently using a Zen cue paired with X Pro 1 Shaft,” Ko Ping Chung explains, of the cue he practices his billiards artistry with.
“I think Ko Pin Yi has the best form at the moment. He has performed well in recent tournaments and has been pretty consistent.” – Ko Ping Chung explains of his brother Yi.
Ko Pin Yi is 33 years old, with Ko Ping Chung being 27, and Ko Ping Han 24.
Three years difference between Han and Chung, six between Chung and Yi, and nine years the difference between Han and Yi. And the brothers appear to be as a tight knit unit – their respective games of the highest pedigree.
“Our family has run a pool hall since we were young, and we played on it since then. Also, since my elder brother Ko Pin Yi is already a professional player, I envy him being able to appear on television during tournaments.
At about ten years old, I began training seriously to become a professional player myself. Up till now, I still love the sport very much, and I wish to compete till my 50s.” – Ko Ping Chung.
“The Mosconi cup is one of my favourite tournaments. The atmosphere is very electrifying and the format makes it an exciting event.” – said Ko Ping Chung.
Many players agree with Ko Ping Chung’s assessment here I would imagine: “I think Efren Reyes is the best player up till now; his attacking and defending game is top notch. He has a deep understanding of the game. Always coming up with impossible shots , truly deserving the title of ‘The Magician’.”
SPM: What was your best win? “Should be the one I played Filler in 2019; that was my first ever world title. I was feeling immense pressure . That is why it is the most memorable one for me,” said Ko Ping Chung.
SPM: What was your worst loss? “It should be in 2015 whereby I lost to Shane Van Boening in the quarter finals. I did not perform up to my usual standards. If i would have won, I would be facing my brother in the finals, and that would be the first ever final in history with two brothers playing each other,” said Ko Ping Chung.
SPM: Who has influenced your game the most? “It should be the older brother, Ko Pi Yo, who has the greatest influence on me. Without him, I would never be where I am now.” – Ko Ping Chung.
Rasson is Ko Ping Chung’s favorite pool table. Chung likes any game of pocket billiards, has never played snooker, will be competing in the US Open this year, his best result was making the final 16, favorite player is Ronnie O’Sullivan, prefers a wooden shaft to carbon fiber, picks Filler as the best player in the world right now, and appears to me to have a great knowledge of pool – a world class player in his own right.
“I’ve been playing pool for 17 years now; the first time I played in an international tournament was when I was 14, I was runner-up at the Osaka Open in Japan when I was 15, and I have
Ko Ping Chung at US Open 2022
Photos provided by Ko Ping Chung from Matchroom
Photos provided by Ko Ping Chung from Matchroom
Ko Ping Chung at the US Open in Atlantic City ~ 2022
been playing in international events ever since,” Chung told SPM.
“I think that the most difficult opponent to deal with in the game is yourself, because pool is a sport that requires self-talk, and players are often defeated by their own emotions.” – said Chung.
To junior players in pool, Ko Ping Chung says, “I hope they have a passion for pool, and don’t forget their dreams, because it must be very hard to play pool well, and in that time, it is the passion for the game that’ll keep them going.”
“It has always been my dream to become the world champion of pool. Even if I have achieved such achievements before, I still hope that I can maintain such achievements every year, and I also hope to bring more people to know the joy of playing pool, because it is a very good form of sports to make a lot of friends without any language barrier,” concludes Ko Ping Chung.
Ko Ping Chung at US Open 2022 Atlantic City
Photos provided by Ko Ping Chung from Matchroom
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Ko Ping Chung at US Open 2022 Atlantic City
Photo by Takaimages
Ko Ping Chung at the US Open 2022 ~ Photo Credit from Takaimages
Other half of Photo see magazine Issue 33
