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The South Korean women have taken the sport of women’s billiards by storm the past few years. Currently, the top two players from South Korea are Yu Ram Cha and Ga Young Kim. Kim is a veteran pro player with titles including the US Open and the World 9-Ball Championship. Cha on the other hand has only played one year as a professional but made an astounding impact in 2008 going unranked to the top 20 in rankings in less than a year. Cha, known as the “Little Lightning”, won Billiards Digest Breakthrough Player of the Year and also the Women’s Pro Tour Most Improved Player. But perhaps her greatest accomplishment happened last week in Las Vegas when she defeated USA Men’s #1 and US Open Champion Shane Van Boening in a stunning comeback from behind upset during the Predator International 10-Ball Championship. Both Kim and Cha are ranked #2 and #5 respectively in the world.
“I feel 10-Ball is a better game for me because it suits my abilities. I have a strong break and good cueball control. I’m more comfortable playing 10-Ball against this field”,said Cha.
“As objectively as I can say, I’d pick her as one of the top five favorites to win the event. 9-Ball is quickly fading because 10-Ball takes more skill and power, which favors Yu Ram’s talented all around game. She is definitely the hot hand out of the women right now”,said US Pro Charlie Williams, who also coaches and mentors Cha.
The Korean contingent also have a great supporting cast including Yun Mi Lim who finished 5th at the World 9-Ball Championship, Eun Ji Park Korea Rookie of the Year, and Ji Won Hyun who has been a professional in Taiwan for years.