Top players including Cho Myung-woo and Heo Jeong-han set to compete
The Korea Billiards Federation is hosting the 21st Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Cup National Lifestyle Sports Billiards Tournament and the 2026 Namwon National Billiards Championship over six days from Tuesday through Sunday at the Namwon Sports Town indoor gymnasium and the Ibaek Happiness Sharing Center.
The tournaments bring together players from across the country to compete in carom, pocket billiards and other disciplines. A total of 1,467 participants — 825 in the lifestyle sports category and 642 professional athletes — will keep the billiards action going throughout the six-day event.
A strong lineup of elite players will also take part. World No. 1 Cho Myung-woo of the Seoul Metropolitan Government team headlines the field, joined by Heo Jeong-han of the South Gyeongsang Billiards Federation, Kim Haeng-jik of the South Jeolla Province Billiards Federation, Im Yun-mi of the Seoul Metropolitan Government team and Lee Dae-gyu, also of the Seoul Metropolitan Government team. Spectators will have the chance to watch top-level play up close.
A range of side events open to the public are also planned. On Thursday, a fan rally tied to South Korea's group-stage match against South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held. A large screen will be set up at the front of the Namwon Sports Town venue so fans can watch the billiards competition and then cheer on the national football team together.
The 2026 Division League carom D1 and D2 and pocket D2 team leagues will also run concurrently at the venue on Saturday and Sunday.
All matches are free to attend, and select main-round and featured bouts will be streamed live on Soop and Soop TV.
yjc@heraldcorp.com
