It was the biggest roar in the history of professional billiards PBA. As it was the first victory achieved after the finals of the 4th and 5th rounds, the level of emotion was immeasurable.
Kang Min-goo (40, Blue One Resort) took off the tag of ‘star of misfortune’ and won his first professional billiard title. In the 2022-2023 season 7th tour’Welcome Savings Bank Wellbang PBA Championship’ final held at the Bitmaru Broadcasting Support Center in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do on the 24th, he defeated Ngo Din Nai (Vietnam, SK Rent-A-Car) with a set score of 4-2 (14-15 15- 6 2-15 15-7 15-19 15-5) and stood at the top.
Kang Min-gu reached the finals four times from the 2020-2021 season, starting with the runner-up in the Panasonic Open, the first tour of the PBA launch. However, the modifier ’empty’ followed as he never scored a goal in winning the championship. Caught in the final jinx, he only reached the quarterfinals once on the tour, and fell into a slump.
It has been 710 days since the 5th Tour Welcome Savings Bank Wellbang Tournament on February 14, 2021, in the last 2020-2021 season, that he reached the finals of the PBA Tour. Coincidentally, it was the same sponsored event, so there was more tension. However, Kang Min-goo bet on the match with his biggest weapon, ‘bank shot (2 points)’. He managed a whopping 16 bank shots in the final, accounting for 32 points (42%) out of a total of 76 points.
In particular, Kang Min-goo had a tight 2-2 match with Dean Nai, who solidified until the 4th set, and the bank shot match worked in the 5th set, which was the winning point. Kang Min-goo, who faced the greatest crisis as he trailed 2-9 until the 5th inning, tied the score with 3 consecutive bank shots in the 6th inning. Then, Din Nai’s attack was canceled, and Kang Min-goo again scored 6 points with two bank shots, winning the 5th set with a thrilling come-from-behind victory 15-9.
Kang Min-goo, who gained momentum, eventually took the victory by running away to 6-0 with two bank shots and two goals, including the first ball in the 6th set. In the end, the game ended 15-5 in 6 innings, holding the longed-for championship trophy in his arms.
Kang Min-goo, who received 100 million won in prize money and 100,000 ranking points, quickly rose to 5th in the cumulative prize money list (285 million won). He jumped up and cheered immediately after winning, saying, “I got goosebumps. It was thrilling from the bottom of my back. It was meant to release the resentment in my heart due to the runner-up and sluggish performance in the past,” he said. He was delighted, saying, “I will prepare well for the 8th tour and (team league) post season, and I will do my best to prepare for the World Championship.” 카지노