(C) Billiards

INCHEON – Seo Seo-ah, the rising star of Korean billiards often dubbed the next "Pocket Queen," returned to South Korea on the 23rd via Incheon International Airport, carrying the heavy gold trophy of a world champion. Her victory marks a historic milestone for Korean pocket billiards, being the first world title won by a Korean player in 13 years, following in the footsteps of her mentor and legendary player Kim Ga-young.

On December 22nd, in Jacksonville, Florida, Seo clinched the title at the 2025 WPA World Women’s 9-Ball Championship. The final was a high-stakes rematch against Russia’s Kristina Tkach, the very opponent who had handed Seo a painful defeat in the previous year’s 10-Ball Championship final. After a grueling battle that stretched into a shootout, Seo emerged victorious with a 3-2 scoreline.

The moment of victory was overwhelming. Overcome with emotion, Seo dropped her cue on the floor and wept, a release of the pressure and dedication that had defined her career. "The memory of losing in last year's final kept coming back, and I couldn't stop the tears," Seo shared with reporters upon her arrival. "The fact that this is the first Korean world title in 13 years makes it even more meaningful to me."

Seo’s journey to the top is as dramatic as her matches. A native of Gwangju, she made the bold decision to drop out of high school and move to Seoul alone after hearing that Kim Ga-young had opened a billiards academy. Driven by the singular desire to learn from her role model, she trained rigorously under Kim’s tutelage. Even after Kim transitioned to carom (3-cushion) billiards, she continued to mentor Seo with unwavering dedication.

This victory is particularly sweet given the slump Seo experienced after her loss last year. She admitted that the defeat was so traumatic she considered quitting the sport for nearly six months. However, she channeled that frustration into technical improvement. "I never wanted to feel that loss again. I worked tirelessly to fix my weaknesses," Seo remarked.

With this major hurdle cleared, Seo Seo-ah is already looking toward the future. Her eyes are now set on the World 10-Ball Championship and the 2030 Asian Games. As the new face of Korean pocket billiards, Seo’s journey has just begun, proving that the legacy of Korean billiards is in very capable hands.