The 35-year-old Korean Dong Koong Kang has written history in a miraculous way. Two days before the finals at the LG U + Cup in Seoul, with a total prize money of 80.000 euros, Kang was rushed to a hospital with severe abdominal pain. Still, he decided to continue playing after intensive research. He surprised all and sundry with a victory in the final against Dick Jaspers from Holland: 40-35 in 18 innings.
The winner, who gave an emotional speech after the final, took one of the highest prize money ever in three cushion. Dong Koong Kang received a 50 million Korean Won cheque from the sponsor, in Euro’s 38.000. Dick Jaspers, the losing finalist, received 7.600 Euros, Torbjörn Blomdahl and Frédéric Caudron 3.800 Euros.
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The tournament in the center of a shopping mall in Seoul, was a great sporting success. The duel between Europe and Asia showed spectacular contests, high averages and for the spectators a lot of tension.
Farouk Barki, the UMB Sports Director, closed the event with a special word of thanks. We all know the Korean hospitality and this tournament was again memorable by the professional organization.
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After the event LG Group Vicepresident and LG U+ CEO Mr Sangchul Lee and LG U+ Executive Vicepresident / Corporate Relations Mr. Pillgye Ryoo received UMB Officers at the LG U+ head office, and they had an exciting conversation about the present and the future of Billiards Sports.
Ten Korean players, one Vietnamese and five Europeans started with the preliminary rounds in four groups of four. The group winners, Dick Jaspers, Dong Koong Kang, Torbjörn Blomdahl and Frédéric Caudron advanced to the semi-finals.
There, in the last four, Dick Jaspers outshone Frédéric Caudron (40-35 in 19) and Dong Koong Kang came into the final by defeating Torbjorn Blomdahl (40-34 in 21). Cheered by the home crowd, Kang had the better start in the final (10-5 in 3), then Jaspers took a 24-14 lead in 10, but the Korean finished it off at 40-35 in 18 (2.222/1.944).
The most remarkable matches were Frédéric Caudron's win against Sung-Won Choi, the world champion, 35-8 in 8 innings and Semih Sayginer's high run in the equalizer against Dick Jaspers. The Turkish needed sixteen points for the draw, he missed his last carom.
Frédéric Caudron took the prize for the best match (35 in 8 innings), Semih Sayginer for the highest run (15).
Dong Koong Kang, who will return to hospital as soon as possible for more research, thanked the sponsor LG U + and the Korean association in his speech and expressed his admiration for his opponents Jaspers and Blomdahl. ,,They are famous players from whom I learned a lot. I still can't believe that I beaten them and won this magnificent tournament.''