Vietnamese billiards player Chiêm Hồng Thái has made headlines by defeating Martin Horn, the world’s 7th-ranked player, in the quarterfinals of the Porto World Cup 2026. This remarkable victory took place in Portugal on July 18, 2026, and has propelled Hồng Thái into the semifinals of the prestigious tournament.

Martin Horn, a seasoned player from Germany, has been a dominant force in carom billiards for over two decades, winning multiple medals at European championships and UMB World Cup events, including three World Cup titles. He is known for his consistent performance and was a favorite to advance further in the tournament.

The match between Hồng Thái and Horn was highly competitive, with both players displaying exceptional skill. Hồng Thái started strong, leading 26-15 after the first half, despite Horn's impressive series of seven points. In the second half, Horn managed to score three consecutive series of five, six, and five points, but Hồng Thái countered with a remarkable ten-point series, ultimately finishing the match with a score of 50-33 after 22 rounds.

With this victory, Chiêm Hồng Thái has advanced to face Heo Jung Han, a top player from South Korea who has won the World Cup twice. Heo Jung Han also made headlines by eliminating the current world number one, Cho Myung Woo, in the quarterfinals. The semifinal match between Hồng Thái and Heo Jung Han is scheduled to take place at 8 PM on July 18, 2026, with the final match set for 11:30 PM the same day.