A successful 2024 season

At the Victory Cup Gala 2024, which honors top Vietnamese athletes in a ceremony often compared to the Oscars, Tran Quyet Chien was awarded Male Athlete of the Year, becoming the first billiards player to receive the honor.

He surpassed notable competitors, including badminton player Le Duc Phat, shooter Pham Quang Huy, chess player Le Tuan Minh, gymnast Nguyen Van Khanh Phong, and marathon runner Hoang Nguyen Thanh.

Chien’s recognition was well-deserved, thanks to his remarkable achievements on the international stage.

World-class victories and milestones

Tran Quyet Chien started 2024 with a bang, winning the World Cup Bogota title in Colombia and later claiming another championship at the World Cup Veghel in the Netherlands. He also triumphed at the 2024 Carom 3-Cushion World Team Championship, partnering with Bao Phuong Vinh.

Throughout the year, Chien made it to the top eight in two other World Cup events, cementing his position as a dominant force in carom billiards.

By mid-2024, he achieved a historic milestone as the first Vietnamese billiards player to reach the world number one ranking on both of the UMB (Union Mondiale de Billiard) leaderboards: the World Players Ranking (which includes regional and national performances) and the UMB Events Ranking (focused on World Cup and World Championship results).

This accomplishment marked a significant moment for Vietnamese sports, with only shooter Hoang Xuan Vinh previously achieving the same level of global recognition in 2014 and 2016.

However, by December 2024, Chien narrowly lost the top spot, tying in points with Dick Jaspers but ranking second based on additional criteria.

Determined to return to the top

Despite billiards not being an Olympic sport, Tran Quyet Chien views his achievements as competitive with those in Olympic disciplines.

“My focus for 2025 is to achieve the best results possible and reclaim the world number one ranking,” the 1983-born player stated.

Chien will begin his 2025 season in February, defending his World Cup Bogota title before competing in the World Team Championship to secure another victory for Vietnam.

Born in Ha Tinh and raised in Ca Mau, Chien discovered his passion for billiards when his parents bought a table to supplement the family’s income. From then on, he immersed himself in the game.

Moving to Ho Chi Minh City, he paused his studies at Ton Duc Thang University to support his family. Chien worked various jobs, including serving at eateries, working as a factory laborer, and eventually becoming a billiards club employee.

At the age of 22, he encountered carom 3-cushion for the first time while working at a billiards club. Realizing his innate talent and passion, he dedicated himself to mastering the game, turning it into a lifelong pursuit.

Dai Nam