Boy wonder Wu gets to compete with the big boys
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.