‘Don’t stop dreaming,’ says world champ Carlo Biado
Carlo Biado during his semifinal match against Francisco Sanchez Ruiz of Spain at the US Open Pool Championship in Atlantic City. Photo from Matchroom Pool
Moments after hitting pay dirt in the 2024 WPA Predator World 10-Ball Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, Carlo Biado pulled wife Niecky close to the billiard table and hung his gold medal around her neck.
“I always say that my wife is a gift for me. She always guides and supports me in my journey,’’ said Biado after becoming US$75,000 (P4.2 million) richer for toppling Japan’s Naoyuki Oi in the finals at Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino.
To his wife, Biado said: “I owe you big time. And to our kids, this is all for you.’’
Biado thus got to add to his stellar collection, which also includes trophies from the 2021 US Open and the 2017 World 9-Ball Championship.
Biado also teamed up with Johann Chua and Rubilen Amit in winning the 2022 WPA World Mixed Teams 10-Ball Championships in Austria.“Success is no accident,” he said. “It is hard work, learning, sacrifice and most of all, love what you do.’’
Biado had been chasing the 10-ball crown since taking first crack at it in 2015. There was no denying him this year.
Setting the tone
The Filipino cue master defeated Oi, three sets to one, setting the tone with a 4-1 victory in the first frame.
Oi took the next set, 4-3, before Biado, nicknamed “Black TIger,” struck back in the third, 4-2. Before the title duel could continue its seesaw trend, Biado shut the door on Oi with a dominant 4-1 closeout performance.
He arranged the titular clash with Oi after eliminating Fedor Gorst of Russia in the semifinals following a victory over Ko-Ping Chung of Taiwan in the quarterfinals.
In ticking the 10-ball title off his bucket list, Biado is now training his sights on bringing the world eight-ball championship hardware to his trophy room.
“Don’t stop dreaming. Dreaming is one of the best feelings in the world, then make it happen,’’ said Biado, the only Filipino out of 64 entries in the tournament. INQ
