Despite a determined performance, the Vietnamese player was unable to produce an upset against the experienced Belgian. In the World Cup circuit organised by the Union Mondiale de Billard (UMB), Caudron has won 21 titles, including two in Vietnam in 2016 and 2019, when he topped the world rankings.

Caudron quickly took control of the match, opening with runs of six and five points to build an 11-0 lead. Chiem Hong Thai responded by narrowing the gap to 7-13, but the Belgian soon regained momentum. A 15-point run before the interval helped Caudron extend his adva 50-25 victory after 22 innings, securing his third World Cup title in Vietnam following earlier triumphs in 2016 and 2019.

Although he fell short of the title, Chiem Hong Thai still made a strong impression by reaching his first World Cup final and finishing second on home soil.The result highlighted the progress of Vietnamese billiards on the international stage.

The 2026 HCM City 3-Cushion Carom World Cup took place from May 18 to 24, drawing nearly 200 players from 19 countries and territories for a series of exciting, dramatic and high-quality matches.

Vietnamese cueist makes history at 2026 Asian Carom Billiards Championship

VOV.VN -Vietnam’s Nguyen Duc Yen Sinh has marked a historic milestone for Vietnamese billiards after winning the women’s three-cushion carom title at the 2026 Asian Carom Billiards Championship in Ho Chi Minh City.