Four wins in six national events this year
Eyes fifth title at National Sports Festival opening Friday
Heo Jeong-han of the South Gyeongsang Province Billiards Federation has claimed his fourth domestic title of the season.
Heo defeated Son Jun-hyeok of the Gwangmyeong Billiards Federation 50-37 in the men's carom three-cushion final at the 2026 Gyeongnam Goseong County Governor Cup National Billiards Tournament, held in Goseong-gun, South Gyeongsang Province, from Wednesday through Sunday.
With the victory, Heo — ranked second in the domestic standings — has now won four of the six national tournaments held this year, cementing his dominance on the domestic circuit.
Earlier this season, Heo won the 14th National Land Center Cup National Billiards Tournament, the Jindo Arirang Cup National Billiards Tournament and the Namwon National Billiards Championship.
In Sunday's final, Heo surged to a 27-19 lead after nine innings to set a strong early pace, but went scoreless for 11 consecutive innings after the break, allowing Son to close the gap. Heo ultimately found himself tied and in danger before breaking the deadlock with a high run of seven points in the 32nd inning to regain the lead. He added five more points in the 33rd inning to seal the 50-37 victory.
Runner-up Son was born in 2004 and claimed his first national title at the Jecheon Cheonpungho Cup last December. Jeong Ye-seong of the North Gyeongsang Province Sports Council and Park Soo-young of the Gangwon Province Billiards Federation shared third place.
In the women's carom three-cushion event, Heo Chae-won of the Seoul Billiards Federation staged a comeback victory over Park Ji-hyeon of the Gimpo Billiards Federation.
The defending national champion, Heo trailed 6-14 in the final before mounting a relentless charge to overturn the deficit in the 27th inning and claim the title. Ma Ji-u of the South Chungcheong Province Billiards Federation and Kim Ha-eun of the Namyangju Billiards Federation finished joint third.
In the pocket billiards events, Lee Dae-gyu of the Seoul Metropolitan Government team won the men's title and Han So-ye of the South Chungcheong Province Sports Council took the women's crown. Lee Jun-ho of the Gangwon Province Billiards Federation was men's runner-up, while Kim Hye-rim of the Daejeon Billiards Federation finished second in the women's event.
World No. 1 three-cushion player Cho Myung-woo of the Seoul Metropolitan Government team and women's pocket player Seo Seo-a of the Incheon Metropolitan City Sports Council each won their respective doubles events, but both were eliminated in the round of 32 in the individual competition, falling victim to upsets.
Meanwhile, Heo Jeong-han will compete as a South Gyeongsang Province representative at the 107th National Sports Festival, which opens in Jeju on Friday.
yjc@heraldcorp.com
