Billiards 

Eight Vietnamese bplayers at the opening ceremony of the TD Pool Master League 2024. Photos of Vietcontent

HÀ NỘI — The country's best pool players have gathered in Hà Nội for a special edition TD Pool Master League 2024 opening on March 29 in Hà Nội.

Eight players are selected to take part in the tournament based on their outstanding performance that have not only contributed to push the national sport's movement but also promote the Vietnamese players' power to the world.

Đỗ Hoàng Quân has secured local and international medals since 2006.

In his collection are national and SEA Games' golds, Indoor Games silver and World Cup bronze.

Lương Chí Dũng dominated national championships with five gold and topped the regional SEA Games in 2009. He also won a bronze at the World Cup of Pool.

Nguyễn Phúc Long was twice won national championships and came second at a National Sports Games (NSG). He also won one gold, one silver and one bronze from three SEA Games.

Nguyễn Anh Tuấn lured his fans with eight national championship titles four others at the NSG, and one silver and three bronzes from SEA Games.

Đặng Thành Kiên was on national championship podiums twice and triumphed at the NSG once before winning a SEA Games bronze in 2013.

National five-time champion Đỗ Thế Kiên won NSG twice. He also pocketed two silvers and one bronze from the regional SEA Games.

Phạm Phương Nam made the list after having one gold, one silver and one bronze from the national championship and a second-finish at a Beijing Open event in 2019.

Dương Quốc Hoàng earned four national championship titles, one SEA Games silver. He advanced to the quarter-finals of the World Pool Championship 2023 and semi-finals at the Alfa Las Vegas 2023event.

Nguyễn Anh Tuấn seen in action at the  TD Pool Master League 2024

At the nine-pool tournament, players will compete in the Swiss chess format, which is held for the first time in Việt Nam.

A total prize fund bonus of VNĐ500 million (US$20,200) is the biggest ever available in the country in pool. The winner will pocket VNĐ250 million along with a valuable gift from sponsors AO Smith and five-star Citadines Hạ Long Hotel.

"TD Pool Master League 2024 is expected to bring a truly unique tournament, making a contribution to the development of the domestic pool industry, " said Dương Mạnh Tiến, head of organising board.

"Players have the opportunity to interact and sharpen their skills and strengthen their mentality in the international arena, as well as push Vietnamese billiards to reach the world level."

The event is organised by TD Billiards Club and Vietcontent, a leading producer and distributor of entertainment and sports in Việt Nam. VNS