Congratulations to the youngest world pool champion. I was very fortunate to have witnessed the entire match. It was amazing.

Chia-ching Wu, a 16 year-old from Taipei County, Taiwan, is the 2005 Kaohsiung World Pool Champion. The fearless young potter came from behind to beat fellow countryman Po-cheng Kuo 17–16 in a thrilling encounter at the Kaohsiung Business Exhibition Center.

Wu becomes the youngest ever World Pool Champion by some distance but he held himself together superbly throughout despite losing an early lead and looking dead and buried at 16–12 down.

Just when he needed it, though the boy nicknamed ‘Little Genius’, found an extra gear and ran four consecutive racks to claim victory and the $75,000 top prize.

Wu broke down in tears when the magnitude of his achievement sunk in. He was consoled by his grandmother to whom he dedicated his victory.

Kuo, who was a bronze medallist this time last year, goes one better as he took the silver medal but will be disappointed that he let the match slip.

Leading 16–12, Kuo made a terrible error in failing to hit a rail after playing a safety and he was not to get another visit.

Despite its exciting conclusion, both players struggled to get going in the early stages as unforced errors halted both player’s flow.

Wu always held the lead in the first half of the match, leading 4–2 and 6–4 in the opening exchanges.

Kuo came back at him though, and managed to square things up at 9–9. Wu kept a one rack lead until the 23rd rack, when the 27 year-old Kuo, stole the lead for the first time.

Despite playing second fiddle throughout, the momentum was now in Kuo’s favour and he pulled away to each 15–11 in the race to 17 championship match.

At 16–12 and breaking for the match, Kuo made his fateful mistake and the teenage sensation grabbed his opportunity with both hands. He cleared the table and broke and ran the next three to put the match at hill-hill, a first for the event.

The boy composed himself and broke the final rack, downing the wing ball and spreading the remainder across the table.

With three balls left, the magnitude of the situation hit home and Wu, went back to his seat to sit down and compose himself. He returned to the table and potted the 7 ball, but ran out of position slightly.

The travel from the 8 to 9 ball meant that Wu needed to use a rest, and once again he went to his chair to prepare for the biggest shot of his life.

The execution was perfect and Wu let out a scream as the 9 ball dropped. He rushed to his grandmother who has been an integral part of his life and then the tears of joy began to flow.

• Entire article quoted from the official web site.
• Read another great post about the same topic.