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CHANDLER WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP Cardiff International Arena / Final Day - Sunday 9th July Final Results - Comment & Quotes Fong Pang Chao (Tai) bt Ismael Paez (Mex) 17 - 6 Chao is the Champion! Fong Pang Chao, the Cold Faced Murderer from Chinese Taipei is the 2000 Victor Chandler World Pool Champion. Tonight at the Cardiff International Arena he hammered the tournament's surprise package, 49 year-old Mexican Ismael Paez by a comprehensive 17 racks to 6. Chao, is certainly one of the best pool players in the world and he proved it over the last nine days against one of the strongest fields ever assembled. The 32 year-old from Kaohsiung City burst onto the world scene in 1993 when he won the World Championship for the first time. This win will make him a national hero in his home country where pool is the national sport. The capital city of Taipei has over 650 pool halls, where the game is played by all stratas of society. Despite a capacity CIA crowd clearly behind the nervy Mexican, Chao played with a sublime fluidity, ruthlessly cashing in on Ismael's mistakes and when put himself 12 -0 up, winning an amazing 12 consecutive racks there was no way back for Paez. Despite a mini-rally by Ismael it wasn't to be for the crowd favourite. Speaking after the match the stone-faced Chao said, " I felt very strong and confident and the crowd was pretty good. At the moment my head feels blank and I am very tired and hungry because I have played two long matches back to back. " This win will mean a lot in my country because when a Taiwanese player wins the world championship it certainly helps the sport as they are absolutely crazy about pool at home. " The semi-final was a real struggle, I wasn't relaxed and I certainly didn't play at my best in that match. I was happy to play the final straight afterwards but I was very surprised to find the game so easy. Ismael didn't play his best game, I know, but I had to concentrate hard on every shot. " I like the atmosphere playing here, it is kind of crazy with all the music, lights and cameras. This win will make me very popular in Taiwan and I am looking forward to defending my title next year, hopefully at home." Chao who wins $60.000, will also receive a $100.000 bonus from his government for this achievement. He plans to use it expanding his Super Star chain of pool halls. For the Mexican who has surely won the hearts of pool fans around the world, it was a disappointment he took well, " What's happened has happened but he is a good player, one of the best in the world. He had a good break and controlled the cue ball well. It would have been nice for the crowd if the match had been a little more tight. " I made mistakes, though, but I was tired and mentally drained from my semi-final match this afternoon. I feel great though, I have had a fantastic nine days here. $30.000 is the biggest money I've ever won at a tournament so I need to start playing in more. " The people here in Cardiff are great; I really felt their support out there. They love the way I play the game and they know I'm doing my best. They appreciate the players. " I guarantee I'll come back again next year ." Both Fong Pang Chao and Ismael Paez have been invited to play in the Matchroom Sport-promoted World Pool Masters which takes place in England in August. Fong Pang Chao's Path to the Final Group Stages: Mario Lannoye (Bel) 7 - 5 Lost to Alex Pagulayan (Can) 7 - 3 Jang Su Lee (Kor) 7 - 4 Paul Potier (Can) 7 - 5 Steve Davis (Eng) 7 - 5 Last 64 - Ralph Eckert (Ger) 9 - 8 Last 32 - Radoslaw Babica (Pol) 9 - 7 Last 16 - Oliver Ortmann (Ger) 11 - 9 Q. Final - Johl Younger (Aust) 11 - 1 S. Final - Corey Deuel (USA) 11 - 9 send by luke.riches |