BANGKOK: Thor is back. Thor Chuan Leong came to Thailand determined to bring back at least one gold medal.
And the reigning Asian champion succeeded, by reclaiming the 6-red title he last won in Myanmar in 2013.
It was also special for Chuan Leong because his victory boosts the chances of the sport’s inclusion in the 2027 SEA Games in Malaysia.
The host country’s professional Poramin Danjirakul had been riding high before this but Chuan Leong shut him out 5-2 in the final at Thunder Dome in Muang Thong Thani last night.
The 37-year-old led 4-1 before conceding another frame. But the Thai could only watch helplessly as Chuan Leong blanked him out to win the seventh frame 63-0 to confirm the gold medal for Malaysia.
Chuan Leong thus extended Malaysia’s outstanding record in the 6-red singles event after Lim Kok Leong and Moh Keen Hoo had triumphed in Vietnam (2022) and Cambodia (2023).
It is also the sixth career SEA Games gold medal for Chuan Leong since he made his debut by winning the men’s snooker doubles event with Sam Chong.
“I put extra pressure on myself as I wanted to win this for the team and country,” he said.
“I promised that I will bring back at least one gold medal so that snooker will be confirmed in the list for 2027.
“The pressure came from myself and not from the opponent but it’s okay. Without pressure, I may have been be complacent.
“After beating James Wattana (in the last 16), I knew I had a very good chance to go far.
“Hopefully, there will be more to come after this,” added the Penang-born player, who will have a chance to add to his gold medal tally if he and teammates Kok Leong and Keen Ho can reach the men’s team snooker final.
Malaysia take on hosts Thailand in the semi-finals today.
Malaysia will also be taking part in the 6-red snooker team event next week while Chuan Leong is also defending his men’s snooker singles title.
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