Saturday 18th February 2012
Taiwan’s Chang Jun Lin was yesterday (Friday) crowned the winner of the 2012 World 8-ball Championship, convincingly beating fellow countryman, and mentor, Fu Chei Wei 11—6, in an all-Taiwanese final.
Chang pocketed the $20,000 cash prize that goes with the title.
Chang, ranked No. 7 in the world, was understandably emotional not just about his accomplishment, but about the man he just beat to get there. “It’s like a dream,” Chang said through an interpreter. “To be a world champion; it’s something I dreamed about for a long time.”
He said it was Fu who taught him to play pool. “He taught me more than just how to play pool. He taught me how to be a man in real life, how to carry myself, how to behave and lead your life, don’t criticize and get down on yourself too much. Lead with your actions not your words. He is not just a teacher but a big brother to me, and a good friend,” he said of Fu.
Mariano himself is overjoyed by Chang’s feat. "Thank God, Jun Lin Chang at last has plugged the missing link in his career," he said.
For Fu, the result brought mixed emotions as his long cherished journey to his first world title ended in a losing battle with his very own pupil. “I played bad in the final,” Fu said. “I felt like I ran out of energy. I’m very happy for him. I’m proud. But I think I would have preferred to have played a player from another country." He added.
Fu had to settle for a runner-up prize of $15,000.
Earlier in the day, Chang defeated Britain's Mark Gray, 9-7, in the semifinal round to arrange a title showdown with Fu who beat China’s Liu Haitao, 9-3 in the other semi.
