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In a 13-5 victory, 34-year-old Taiwanese professional pool player Ko Pin Yi won his first Maiden title in the World Pool Masters on May 13, 2023, in Brentwood, Essex, against Eklent Kaci. Ko Pin Yi is the Prince of Pool, by Matchroom Pool!

After congratulating Ko Pin Yi on his Maiden Title win at Matchroom’s World Pool Masters and then asking if the Championship win had sunk in, Pin Yi replied, “I still can’t believe that I am the champion of this competition. From the moment I first received this title until now, it feels like a dream.

The World Pool Masters may be a small field as an invitational; it has the strongest players in Matchroom’s world nineball tour. I asked Ko Pin Yi how an event like this compares to the WPA World NineBall Championship or US Open regarding preparation and intensity on the table. Ko Pin Yi stated, “There is no doubt that this tournament is the toughest in the world because it invites the top 16 players in the current global rankings. Winning this championship makes me happier than any other competition.”

Ko Pin Yi played strategically and methodically. It was quite a treat to watch him play. Pin Yi sealed up the day against two-time Mosconi Cup champion Jayson Shaw. Ko was on fire as he moved into a 5-0 lead against Shaw. Shaw was able to pull it back to 5-1, but that was shortlived as Ko finished up the night in a 9-1 victory.

Asking Ko Pin Yi what preparation did it take to prepare for the World Pool Masters & how many hours a day are you training, and what was the main focus of his training?

Ko Pin Yi’s reply, “I have specifically strengthened my physical training before this competition.

I spend at least three hours every day on billiards training, with the majority of the time practicing break shots.”

Keeping the topic on training, Ko Pin Yi and his brothers, Ko Ping Chung, the middle brother, and Ko Ping Han, the youngest, also picked up a sponsor that has gotten the Ko Brothers to work out in the gym. Ko Pin Yi stated,

“Yes, one of my sponsors provides us with free physical training, so we will go to exercise whenever we have free time in Taiwan.” I asked Ko Pin Yi if he feels that the physical exercise in the gym has helped improve his game. Ko Pin Yi, stated, “I feel that exercise has improved my performance a lot, allowing me to play better when I am nervous.” The brothers also look forward to the hotel gyms during the upcoming tournaments!

Ko Pin Yi plays with a $30,000 Zen Custom Cue titled The Holy Cross with a Gold Ring and uses a Ko Tip, a Ko Jump Cue, and a BK Rush Break cue! He is playing with the same cue he played with when he won the Asian Open last year.

We always see the Ko Brothers together at all major tournaments; at the World Pool Master’s Ko Pin Yi came alone. I asked Ko Pin Yi what it was like being without his brothers at the World Pool Masters. Ko

Pin Yi stated, “It feels a bit boring without them, but that’s how athletes are. It’s not possible for us, all three brothers, to participate in every game. So, I still give my all to do what needs to be done.”

Recently in the Maldives, Ko Ping Chung won the Maldives 10-Ball championship. All three brothers played great, with Ko Pin Yi making it to the quarterfinals after beating his brother Ko Ping Han and Ko Ping Chung, being the victor in a great tournament. It is always exciting watching the three brothers play!

Here are some more questions that I asked Ko Pin Yi!

Q. What does it feel like to know you have beaten Jayson Shaw, SVB, James Aranas, and Eklent Kaci? Who was your toughest opponent?

A. These four players are all top international players, and it’s really exciting to win against them. Among the four matches, the one against James was the toughest as he was in the best condition. However, in terms of overall strength, they are all quite similar.

Q. You’ve achieved high success in the sport, beginning at a young age, winning two WPA World Nine-Ball. How were you first introduced to the game, and at what age?

A. I first got into billiards because of my father. He owned a billiards hall, so billiards has been a sport I grew up with.

Q. You have two brothers who are also high-level players. What was it like with the three of you when you were young, learning and competing?

A. We all three are not only the best teammates but also the best family. We constantly study and grow together.

Q. Is pool popular at home, what are the junior programs like there, and how well are players supported in coaching/ instruction?

A. Billiards is not very popular in our hometown, but the training institutions for teenagers are quite good. Many schools have dedicated departments for billiards, allowing them to train while studying.

Q. Did you have a formal coach as a young player?

A. I don’t have a formal coach, but my father was my mentor in the early stages. I learned from many seniors during my growth but didn’t have a fixed coach.

Q. Who were some of the players who influenced your game as you grew up, and do you still have a coach who helps you “tune-up” for tournaments?

A. Efren Reyes from the Philippines has had the deepest influence on me as a player. His dedication to billiards earns my utmost respect and has made me value the sport even more. I don’t have a coach who adjusts for me; instead, my two younger brothers are more like my coaches. We constantly study and analyze our mistakes in matches.

Q. Do you think more players should have coaches like golf and tennis?

A. I believe it’s good to have a dedicated coach who can observe your mistakes during matches, but they must have a deep understanding of you. This will undoubtedly accelerate your progress.

Q. Do you and your brothers train together often, or do you have your own approaches to preparing for events?

A. We often train together, not just focusing on technical skills but also paying special attention to physical fitness and mindset for competitions.

Q. You were heavily impacted by COVID-19, with play and travel restrictions. Do you feel that now you are back to where you were three years ago?

A. Yes, I feel like I have regained the form I had three years ago. Both in terms of skills and mentality.

Q. Which of the titles you have won means the most to you?

A. Yes, I feel like I have regained the form I had three years ago. Both in terms of skills and mentality.

Q. What is your favorite event to play?

A. I like any Matchroom events because they are excellently organized both in terms of venue and format, providing a comfortable environment for us to compete.

Q. Now that Matchroom is expanding its nine-ball tours and adding more events each year to the calendar, do you see pool’s popularity growing to a worldwide audience?

A. Yes, I believe that in the future, billiards will become a very popular sport, thanks to Matchroom’s active promotion. More and more people will love billiards.

Q. Would you be interested in seeing an event like the Mosconi Cup, which targets the growing fanbase, grow globally?

A. I am very interested and hope that Asia can have similar events soon.

I believe it will be very exciting, and everyone will enjoy it.

Q. Do you see yourself traveling more now and playing abroad more often?

A. Currently, I hardly have any time to travel. All my time is spent preparing for competitions and participating in tournaments.

Q. What do you think of the Derby City Classic and its three disciplines and the redraw buy-back format, and do you think that you will play in it in the future?

A. I think this is a very special format. Regardless of the format, everyone is under the same conditions. So, I think it’s great, and I would definitely participate if I have the opportunity.

Q. As the game continues to grow, what would be the ideal format and standards for you, in terms of game, equipment, pocket size, format, field size, qualifiers... etc.?

A. Matchroom competitions meet the criteria you mentioned, so I really enjoy participating in their events. I feel extremely happy with their format.

Q. Would you like to see the pool tour mature to where it is something more akin to what snooker, with formal rankings, a Q-School, and qualifying events?

A. Of course, I hope that one day American pool will be as respected and noble as snooker.

Q. You’ve been a top draw in the sport since you won your first world junior title, and you are one of the most popular players in the world and here in the States. How do you think the players can connect more with the public and draw in more casual fans to themselves and the sport?

A. I think managing social media platforms is very important. It allows more people to see a different side of us and enables us to share valuable information through these platforms.

Q. What is your favorite game to play?

A. 9-Ball

Q. One-pocket is most popular here in the US, but more players worldwide have taken up the game over the years. What are your thoughts on it as a pool discipline, and will you play it more in the future?

A. I’m not very familiar with this discipline because I haven’t been exposed to it since I was young. In the future, I will take the time to learn more about this discipline.

Q. Who is your favorite opponent, someone you enjoy competing against?

A. My favorite player is Efren Reyes from the Philippines, and the player I enjoy competing against the most is Shane Van Boening.

Q. Which match has been your favorite so far in your career?

A. My favorite match was the final of the Thailand Open in 2007. My opponent at the time was a Filipino player who was the world number one. I defeated him and won the championship, which made me extremely happy.

Q. Who are your favorite players to hang out with, go to dinner, talk to …etc.?

A. I get along well with Shane Van Boening. We often have meals together and chat. He even teaches me English!

Q. What are some of your interests away from the table?

A. I enjoy watching TV and playing games!

Q. Who are your Sponsors?

Zen cue

#Rasson #CPBA

#3seconds

#HOYABIT (The most friendly cryptocurrency exchange HOYABIT)

@ko (Ko Billiard School)

#(Houyuan International Financial Planning Co., Ltd.)

#(Yiyu Steel Aluminum Industry Co., Ltd.)

# (Taiwan Plastics Enterprise and Wang Zhansang Public Welfare Trust)

#H3bet

#KOtips

#Kojumpcue

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