Billiard player Tran Thanh Luc reveals the miracle of winning the World Cup

On the morning of March 3, in the final match of the 3-cushion carom billiards World Cup 2025 in Bogota (Colombia), player Tran Thanh Luc excellently defeated Turkish player Tayfun Tasdemir with a close score of 50-47 to win the championship.

At this year's 3-cushion Carom World Cup in Bogota, Vietnam had many excellent players such as Tran Duc Minh, Tran Quyet Chien, Bao Phuong Vinh, and Chiem Hong Thai. But Tran Thanh Luc was the one named to the prestigious throne.

This championship also marks Vietnam having the third player to win the 3-cushion carom World Cup, after Tran Quyet Chien and Tran Duc Minh.

The reward after the above efforts helped the 1990-born player from Binh Duong jump from 11th to 5th place in the world with 273 points according to the latest update from the World Carom 3-Cushion Billiards Federation (UMB). Notably, right after being crowned, Tran Thanh Luc had an interesting conversation with Dan Tri reporter .

 

Tran Thanh Luc is happy with the first 3-cushion carom World Cup championship he won in his career (Photo: NVCC).

Win with a relaxed mind

Hello Thanh Luc, first of all, congratulations on winning the prestigious 3-cushion carom World Cup, how do you feel so far?

- When I scored the decisive point to win, I was so happy that I burst into tears. The feeling of conquering the pinnacle of glory is always indescribable, especially when this is the first time I have won the 3-cushion carom World Cup. Any player dreams of winning this trophy and I am lucky to have done what I have dreamed of and longed for for so long.

It can be said that the recent 3-cushion carom final match with your opponent Tasdemir was an exciting chase between you and the Turkish player. Can you share the secret to this dramatic victory?

- It was a miracle that I was able to overcome many strong opponents to reach the final match of this tournament. It was even more miraculous that I won against Tasdemir to bring glory to Vietnamese billiards.

The Turkish player really played very well in the final. Although I led many times, even at one point I led him by 13 points, he still persistently chased me and even shortened the score to only 47-49 (the final match has a total of 50 points, the player who reaches 50 points first wins).

Luckily, I still had the confidence in myself to score the decisive point and win. If I had lost at that time, I would have regretted it. Thank God that didn't happen.

Thanh Luc expressed his joy after defeating Tasdemir in the final match to be crowned "king" of the 3-cushion carom World Cup (Photo: NVCC).

Was Tasdemir your toughest opponent, having previously impressed by beating world number one Dick Jasers in the semi-finals?

- For me, all the players participating in the 3-cushion carom World Cup in Bogota (Colombia) are excellent, no opponent is easy to face. Just a little bit of loss of concentration, a little bit of subjectivity, carelessness and I will immediately suffer defeat. This has happened to me in many tournaments, so I always try and focus on each of my cues.

The reason I won against Dick Jasers in the semi-final was partly because I was mentally relaxed, because if I lost to him, it would be normal because he was at a higher level. But maybe because of the mental relaxation, I played well and won. The mental relaxation could also be a positive factor for me to play well in the final, because when there is no pressure, I and other players will also play at their best form.

What did you feel most satisfied with during your journey to win the 3-cushion World Cup championship in Bogota (Colombia) recently?

- It's the first time in my life that I've won the World Cup, so there's nothing more wonderful. I feel happy to be the third Vietnamese, after Tran Quyet Chien and Tran Duc Minh, to win this prestigious title.

Besides this championship, can you share with Dan Tri readers what titles you have won in your career?

- My collection of domestic and international billiards titles is quite large, but the most recent is the runner-up of the 2023 Asian Championship and the runner-up of the 2024 World Championship. In previous years, I almost only finished second, and people even teased me as the "king of second place", but this year I have improved, winning the World Cup.

This championship makes me satisfied because my hard work and tireless efforts over the years have paid off.

 

Don't idolize anyone, learn a little from everyone.

What chance brought you to billiards and what does this sport bring you that makes you most satisfied?

- I got acquainted with billiards since I was a child because my family had a billiards table. I played with friends and acquaintances in the neighborhood every day, but I was the most outstanding. I played amateur billiards since I was a child, and luckily my parents created conditions for me to develop my talent and pursue a professional career.

Every sport requires talent, but the most important thing is still the effort to practice every day. Talent is only a small part, effort is the decisive factor to bring success. I am satisfied with myself, because I always set goals for myself to strive for.

You are the 3rd Vietnamese player to win the 3-cushion carom World Cup. Who do you idolize in the world or Vietnam?

- Actually, I don't idolize anyone. For me, every player has their own style of play and way of playing that I like. I try to learn a little bit from each player.

After this championship, what tournaments are you aiming to participate in next in 2025?

- I still aim to win more national and international titles this year. I will try to participate in as many tournaments as possible, because each tournament helps me learn a lot of useful things.

Thanh Luc celebrates with Vietnamese friends and fans when winning the 2025 3-cushion Carom World Cup in Colombia (Photo: NVCC).

It is known that the World Carom Billiards Federation (UMB) banned many Vietnamese players from participating in UMB tournaments. Does this affect your achievements or goals?

- For me, the UMB ban doesn't have much of an impact, because there are actually many international tournaments for me to participate in. I just try to improve myself every day, and there are plenty of tournaments for Vietnamese players to choose from.

The world media has expressed admiration for your 3-cushion carom World Cup championship, what can you say about this?

- I haven't had time to see what the world media has written about me, but I just want to thank everyone who has followed and supported me so far. Everyone's encouragement is the spiritual motivation for me to try my best to compete.

Thank you Thanh Luc for this conversation and wish you continued success in the future!

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/co-thu-tran-thanh-luc-tiet-lo-ve-dieu-ky-dieu-khi-vo-dich-world-cup-20250304094752925.htm