Boy wonder Wu gets to compete with the big boys

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

From his chunky build and a few blemishes on his cheeks, Wu Chia-Ching could have been mistaken for a teenage fan come to star gaze at some of billiards' main men last week.

But the 16 year old from Chinese Taipei is already one of the "big boys" of the game, and advanced to the semifinals of the San Miguel Asian 9-ball Tour here.

Waiting for him was his idol and three-time World 8-ball champion Efren Reyes -- 35 years his senior.

Wu, who has been dubbed Taisun (genius) by the media back home, ran the Filipino close, taking a 10-8 lead before his wily opponent stormed back by winning the next five frames.

He took the loss in stride. "It was a very tough match, I was unlucky with my break after taking the lead."

Reyes admitted that luck was on his side in overcoming the youngest player on the tour.

"My breaks didn't run well in the beginning, but later the luck shifted to me. At 8-10, suddenly I just woke up."

Reyes, dubbed the "Magician" for his bag of tricks, praised Wu as a good young player with a bright future.

"He has improved a lot. He plays with heart. But if I was still 18 years old, I would be able to defeat him without needing luck," he joked.

The semifinal loss in the Jakarta leg followed his runner's up showing in Singapore, again in a narrow loss, this time to 1998 Asian Games gold medalist Gandy Valle 9-11.

Wu, who stands 1.72 m and weighs 85 kg, is now among the favorites at this week's A Mild Bali International Open.

Born in Taipei on Feb. 9, 1989, he began playing pool at his uncle's billiards club at age eight. A year later, he impressed the head of a billiards center and school, who persuaded Wu's father to let the boy enroll with him.

He became the national youth champion in 2002 but also took third place in the National Pro-Tour in the same year.

In 2004, he finished second in the WPA World Junior 9-ball championship.

Thanks to his outstanding achievement, Wu did not have to take the entrance exam to senior high school.

"After school, I practice billiards every day," he said. "I am glad that my school is very supportive of my career."

He is happy to have made his parents and siblings -- an elder brother and two younger sisters -- proud.

Most of all, he wants to do his best for his beloved grandmother.

"She took care of me very well when I was still a baby. Sometimes she carried me on her back while she worked, I clearly remember that."

In his spare time, he enjoys watching movies and television, especially basketball, but knows his priorities.

"But I don't play basketball anymore, I just play billiards," he said.