Saudi cueists shine at World Pool Championship

JEDDAH: Saudi cueists put on a strong display on the second day of the World Pool Championship in Jeddah, with top national players securing victories in their respective matches.

The talented Saudi cueist Mohammed Baabad began his first day with an impressive performance and was able to defeat one of the most dangerous players in the world Albanian Kledio Kaci.

Speaking after the match, Baabad expressed his joy and happiness to win against one of the best players in the world, he said: “I feel so happy and I am over the moon. I always dreamed of being on this stage to compete with the top players. In this match, I believed in myself and knew I had the capabilities to defeat Kaci.”

He pointed out that Saudi players have the skill and talents but they need the opportunity to compete with the best in the world, “With such competitions held here in Saudi Arabia, we really can learn from those champions,” he said.

Despite losing his first match in the opening day against the number five in the world, Filipino Johann Chua 9-0, Saudi new rising star Mohammed Al-Balkhi was able to come back in his second match and claim a strong victory against Felix Vogel from Germany 9-7.

Al-Balkhi explained after his big win: “My first match against Johann Chua was my first international match in my career and I was really nervous especially because it was on the main table and in front of one of the best in the world. In my second match I was able to control myself and focus on my game which resulted in an impressive win for me against Felix Vogel.”

On the other side of the arena, Saudi champion Khalid Al-Ghamdi also registered a victory against Canadian John Morra 9-3. 

Expressing his happiness, Al-Ghamdi said: “First of all, I am