Filipino billiards player Raymund Faraon wins All-Japan Championship

MANILA, Philippines – Another Filipino makes his mark on the world map of billiards.

Filipino cue artist Raymund Faraon defeated Japanese Oi Naoyuki, 11-8, in the men’s division finals of the 47th All-Japan Championship on Monday, November 24 at the Archaic Hall in Amagasaki, Japan.

Faraon, whose Facebook lists him as hailing from Manila but now living in Dubai, barreled through the qualifiers, defeating compatriot and multi-titled Dennis Orcollo in the Last 32, and then overcoming Lo Li-Wen in the Last 16. He bested another Filipino in Johann Chua in the quarterfinals before upsetting former World Nine-Ball Championship semifinalist Li Hewen of China in the semis, 11-7, and going on to beat Oi Naoyuki.

World-renowned Filipino pool player Efren “Bata” Reyes also won in the same competition in 2005 and 2003.

In the women’s division, Taiwanese Wu Zhi Ting edged her Chinese rival Liu Shasha, 9-3, for her first title in the competition. – Rappler.com