Cheung Is Snooker Gold Medalist

Final
Cheung Ka Wai 3–1 Abdelrahman Shahin
754-15 (68), 13-59 69-18, 65-29

Cheung Ka Wai won Hong Kong’s only Gold medal of The World Games Birmingham 2022 when he defeated Egypt’s Abdelrahman Shahin 3-1 in the snooker final.

The 23-year-old had played consistently all week, dropping only two frames in the tournament to take gold in his first World Games.

Shahin had a promising opening at the start of the final but that came to an abrupt end at just 15 when the Egyptian missed a black off the spot. That allowed Cheung to take advantage and the man from Hong Kong made 68 to win the opening frame, his highest break of the week coming at the perfect time.

Shahin levelled when he doubled a red to the side to leave Cheung requiring snookers. He conceded after failing to make a color after making the final red.

Cheung responded with a 23 to open the third frame and further contributions of 30 and 16 saw Cheung’s lead restored. Shahin would need to take the fourth to stay in the match but, trailing by 23, broke down on a break of 28. Cheung was 16 ahead when the frame got down to the colours and doubled the yellow only to miss the green leaving him 21 ahead with 22 remaining.

However, Shahin could only manage the green before Cheung was back at the table and he made no mistake taking the brown from its spot. The blue to the middle took him to the pink which was on the baulk line, and a straight shot took him to World Games gold.

“I didn’t know that it is the first gold medal for Hong Kong so I’m very happy to get the gold medal,” said Cheung. “I’m very proud to represent Hong Kong at The World Games.

“It’s my first time to play and the atmosphere was really exciting. I’m very happy with the performance out there.

“I think the final performance was quite nice and I held my nerves and tied to not given any chance to my opponent. I’m happy for my performance in that atmosphere.

“I didn’t play at my best during the week. I was really nervous in every match and this is a short match at best of five. I did quite well to win every scrappy frame.

“I didn’t know that it is the first gold medal for Hong Kong so I’m very happy to get the gold medal.”

Shahin said; “I feel very good, but I also wanted to win the gold medal. This is my first time to play the World Games so it is a good result.”

The match schedule and results are at esnooker.pl

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