Carlo Biado carved his name deeper into billiards history after clinching his second World Pool Championship title, becoming the first Filipino to achieve the feat.
In a gripping showdown at the Green Halls in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on July 27, Biado edged out defending champion and world No. 1 Fedor Gorst, 15-13, to reclaim the prestigious crown.
Biado surged to a commanding 9-2 lead early in the match, but Gorst mounted a strong comeback, tying the game at 9-all and later at 13-all. It was in the 27th rack that Biado regained control, pulling ahead 14-13, before flawlessly closing out the 28th rack for the win.
“I’m over the moon—I still can’t believe I’m a two-time World Champion,” Biado said in a statement to Matchroom Pool. “It means everything to me. I’m so proud to bring this trophy home to the Philippines.”
He described the match as unforgettable and credited Gorst as a formidable opponent. “When I was leading 9-2, I still couldn’t relax because he’s a monster on the table,” Biado added. “But today, I stayed focused, stayed calm, and maybe had a little luck on my side, too.”
Biado’s victory earns him a $250,000 (approximately P14.2 million) prize and adds to his first championship title in 2017. He joins an elite roster of Filipino champions including Efren “Bata” Reyes (1999), Ronnie Alcano (2006), and Francisco Bustamante (2010).
After the win, Biado shared on Instagram that he plans to take a short break to spend time with his family before returning to action at the Florida Open (Aug. 5–10) and the US Open (Aug. 18–23).
Gorst, showing sportsmanship, congratulated Biado online, calling him “pare” and saying it’s always a pleasure to compete against him. The Russian American also posted a photo of the two embracing after the match—a nod to their mutual respect on and off the table.
