Ko Pin Yi of Taiwan beats Albania’s Eklent Kaci in the final.

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Essex, England, May 13 (Courtesy Matchroom Pool) — Taiwan’s Ko Pin Yi has won the 2023 World Pool Masters in Brentwood, Essex, England after scoring a run-away victory against Albania’s Eklent Kaci in the final.

The Final Match

Kaçi won the lag and took the first rack with a break and run. The second rack also should have gone his way, but nerves apparently got the better of Kaci and he missed a makable 9-7 combo. This then allowed Ko to the table for two quick wins.  Kaci regained the lead after a deep safety battle — but only briefly.  A dry break allowed Ko first to go up 7-4, and then 9-4. Kaci took the next rack, but it would be his last. The final score: 13-5.

Epic Run for Ko Pin Yi

The victory wrapped an epic run from Taiwanese player during which he vanquished Jayson Shaw 9-1 in the opening round, Shane Van Boening, 11-7, in the quarter-finals, and the Philippines James Aranas, 11-7 in the semi final.

Ko said: “It feels so good. The World Pool Masters was the one I wanted to win. After I beat Jayson (Shaw), I thought already about winning and jumping on the table. It was tough but I feel so happy to win this tournament. I knew that the only person that could beat me was myself.”