Duong Quoc Hoang of Vietnam will compete alongside world billiards stars at the WNT Peri 9-ball Open from October 5-9. (Photo: Matchroom) The event will last from October 5-9, a week before the inauguralAsian Open Pool Championship, the largest ever tournament to happen in thecapital city, offering athletes a chance to earn vital points and tune-up aheadof the most hotly anticipated tournament in pool.
There will be 128 players taking part. The top 64 on theWorld Nineball Tour Rankings will be seeded with the remaining 64 spots in thefield set to come from local qualifiers and spots open to all. Thequalification will be held on October 2-4 at the same venue.
The Open, promoted by VietContent and supported by Peri Cues,will be played under the same WNT event rules at the Peri Pool Arena, anewly built billiards hall located in the very centre of the city, with morethan 30 peri pool tables.
It is the penultimate ranking event for the Race to Mosconi Cupautomatic selection for teams before they take part in the conclusion of theAsian Open Pool Championship final on October 10-15 at the Indoor AthleticsComplex. The qualifiers of the Peri 9-ball Open are allowed to register tocompete at the Asian championship.
Vietnamese rising star Duong Quoc Hoang who has recentlyshown his outstanding talent at nineball tournaments all over theworld will take part. The world's top 64 seed is guaranteed a berth in thefinal against well-known players such as reigning world champion FranciscoSanchez-Ruiz of Spain, two-time World Pool Masters winner David Alcaide of Spain,former winner of the European Pool Championships and World Cup of Pool Mario Hefrom Austria and Russia's Fedor Gorst, one of the youngest world poolchampions.
The winner will walk away with 25,000 USD while the runner-up willreceive 15,000 USD. Athletes who advance to the rounds of last-32,last-16, quarter-finals and semi-finals will also bag bonuses ranging from 1,000-8,000USD.
Matchroom, the world leader in hosting, promoting andbroadcasting nine-ball pool, will cover the event extensively withlive streams and exclusive content, showcasing the best of the World NineballTour to fans globally with over 1.5 million followers.
Matchroom Multi Sport Managing Director Emily Frazer said: “Theplans of the billiards arena look impressive, with the Matchroom team all arrivingin Hanoi in time for the Peri 9-ball Open, we have an extensive plan in place,so we can best promote the event and 9-ball in Vietnam.”
Vietcontent CEO Tran Thuy Chi added: “With all my lovefor our home town and sports as well, I always dream of bringinginternational sports events here to the very beautiful and charming city like Hanoi.So I do appreciate the kind support of the city authorities and Matchroom inorganising a back-to-back 9-ball ranking event here. It’s helping to make Hanoia centre of 9-ball Pool in October”.
Nguyen Hoang Nhat, a representative of the Peri, the titlesponsor, said: “I was a fan of pool and Matchroom event for a long time. And Ialways believe that our Vietnamese player will be the champion of the world oneday.
"With the cooperation of Peri Cue and my partner Vietcontentnow I can make a step forward the goal. I hope that the Peri 9-ballOpen will create a big motivation for Vietnamese players in training becausenow even a young player without money can have the opportunity to step up tothe international stage”./.
VNA
