Chiêm Hồng Thái defeats Eddy Merckx, achieves miracle by reaching World Cup final

Chiêm Hồng Thái keeps crafting his fairy tale at the 2026 Ho Chi Minh City World Cup 3-Cushion Carom, beating Belgian legend Eddy Merckx to earn a place in the final right at home.

In the semifinal held this afternoon, May 24, at Nguyen Du Stadium,the player born in 1999from Vietnam faced an immense challenge in Eddy Merckx, a world-class cueist and a top contender for the championship.

However, spurred on by the passionate support of the Ho Chi Minh City crowd, Chiêm Hồng Thái delivered an outstanding performance with remarkable composure.

At one point, Hồng Thái trailed 12-33 and faced imminent defeat. Yet the cueist from Can Tho never gave up.

He orchestrated a stunning turnaround with high-quality runs, especially two consecutive series of 14 and 6 points, to reverse the situation.

In the end, Chiêm Hồng Thái won 50-46 after 25 innings, becoming the only Vietnamese player to compete in the championship match of this year's Ho Chi Minh City World Cup.

This is a fully deserved reward for Hồng Thái's emotional journey. From barely qualifying as a lucky loser in the last qualifying round, he has consistently pulled off major surprises.

Before defeating Eddy Merckx,Chiêm Hồng Tháihad eliminated world champion Bao Phương Vinh in the round of 16 and then beat Dutch legend Dick Jaspers in the quarterfinals.

Overcoming a series of top-tier opponents one after another highlights the remarkable growth of the 27-year-old player.

Not only is he the last hope of the host nation,Chiêm Hồng Tháinow also stands on the verge of making history for Vietnamese billiards, as he is just one match away from winning the World Cup on home soil.