Bao Phuong Vinh proved to be the most successful Vietnamese cueist at the 2026 World Carom 3-Cushion Championship in Blois, France, finishing as runner-up after a 39-50 defeat to Belgian legend Eddy Merckx in the final.

This milestone marks his second major podium finish following his 2023 world title in Ankara, Turkey, earning him 20,000 EUR. According to the latest UMB Events rankings, which count points exclusively from World Cup stages and World Championships, Bao collected 36 bonus points, rising from 11th with 211 points to 247 points and breaking into the global top 10.

Conversely, all other prominent Vietnamese cueists competing in Blois, including Tran Quyet Chien, Tran Thanh Luc, and Chiem Hong Thai, dropped one place in the standings. Both Quyet Chien and Thanh Luc exited in the Round of 32.

Although Quyet Chien's points remained unchanged at 184, he slipped from 16th to 17th as competitors surpassed him. Meanwhile, Thanh Luc slid eight points to 196, falling from 13th to 14th, while group-stage exit Chiem Hong Thai lost two points to 204 and dropped from 12th to 13th.

Under UMB regulations, the top 14 players in the UMB Events rankings earn automatic entry into the main tournament. Consequently, sitting outside the top 14 at 17th, Tran Quyet Chien must start from the fourth qualification round in upcoming World Cup stages.

Bao Phuong Vinh finishes third at 2026 Lier 3-Cushion Carom World Cup

VOV.VN - Vietnamese cueist Bao Phuong Vinh concluded his impressive performance at the 2026 Lier 3-Cushion Carom World Cup in Belgium with third place, following a loss to world’s No. 1 Cho Myung-woo from the Republic of Korea (RoK) in the semi-finals on September 6.