BATTLING severe neck pain, Filipino pool sensation Johann “Bad Koi” Chua delivered a commanding performance at the 2024 Zen&Yuan8 Open Nine-Ball tournament in Shanghai, China.
Chua dominated Taiwan’s Wu Kun Lin in the finals, winning, 13-1, to secure the championship and the top prize of $12,000 (approximately P600,000).
Chua revealed his physical struggles only after hoisting the trophy, acknowledging the intense pain he endured throughout the tournament.
“I was able to get through it because my wife reminded me that it’s always mind over matter. I strengthened my mind, gave it my all, and pushed past the pain,” said Chua, a multi-titled Southeast Asian Games champion and World 10-ball team champion.
The pain had been so debilitating that Chua initially considered withdrawing from the event.
“I was dejected at first, even thought of not playing due to the excruciating neck pain. Luckily, I didn’t have a match on the first day, so I used a hot compress to manage it. By the second day, you guys shared some remedies, which helped,” he explained.
Chua’s triumph came after he boycotted the 2024 Massé WPA World 9-Ball Championships, where fellow Filipino Rubilen Amit took home the women’s title and a $50,000 prize.
Amit celebrated Chua’s victory in a light-hearted social media post, writing, “Grabe ka, hindi mo na kami pinakaba ng finals haha! (You didn’t even make us nervous in the finals haha)!”
Chua had previously committed to not participate in any World Pool Association (WPA)-sanctioned events, standing in solidarity with international players suspended by the WPA for competing in the unsanctioned Hanoi Open last year.
The Hanoi Open had not been approved by the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS), a subsidiary of the WPA.
This Shanghai tournament is under the Asian Pool Federation.
