Dương Quốc Hoàn is the first Vietnamese player invited to compete at the World Pool Masters 2024. Photo of Vietcontent

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese star Dương Quốc Hoàng has received one of only two wildcards to compete at the prestigious World Pool Masters 2024.

It will be 30th edition of the tournament, an official World Nineball Tour (WNT) Invitational event, which will be held from April 25-28 in Hildesheim, Germany.

The event will boast a world-class field, with the top 14 taken from the WNT Rankings, plus two additional wild cards across four days of elite action.

On its Facebook fanpage, Matchroom posted: "Xin chào Duong Quoc Hoang! We are pleased to announce that Duong Quoc Hoang has received our first wildcard. Get your tickets now so you can join this amazing event".

"Feeling extremely proud, because this is a tournament that I am looking forward to," Hoàng responded to the wildcard announcement.

"Last year I missed it. This year the opportunity opens again. Upon receiving the invitation from Matchroom at 3.00am, I couldn't sleep because of happiness. I hope to improve my current form (for the event).”

Hoàng was invited to take part in the 2023 event after Fedor Gorst could not join because of a visa issue. The Vietnamese accepted the invitation before he recognised that the entry date in his visa was nearly 10 days after the opening match of the tournament, causing him to miss the event.

A poster of the World Pool Masters 2024 with Vietnamese Dương Quốc Hoàng as a wildcard. -- Photo of Matchroom

Hoàng has been known in the pool community for years, but he caused a stir in 2023 with a win over reigning world 9-ball and 10-ball champion at the World Pool Championship.

In the World Pool Masters, he will play against world leading athletes such as reigning European Open champion David Alcaide, world No 1 Francisco Sanchez Ruiz, American legend Shane Van Boening, Hà Nội Open Pool Championship winner Jayson Shaw, Wiktor Zielinski, Max Lechner, Ko Ping Chung, Eklent Kaci and defending champion Ko Pin Yi. The second wildcard holder will be announced in the next few days.

A big bonus of US$125,000 is up for grabs with the winner to pocket $40,000.

World Pool Masters is the most sought-after annual invitational event in the world of pool. The first event was organised in 1993 in England. VNS