Lee Sin-young's Thrilling Comeback Against Han Ji-eun at Huons Championship

A Historic Rivalry Reignited

Lee Sin-young and Han Ji-eun, two of Korea's top female billiards players, reignited their intense rivalry after 114 days at the 6th Huons PBA-LPBA Championship in Goyang, Korea. Both players previously made headlines with world championship titles and runner-up finishes in amateur and professional 3-cushion billiards, making their duel a highly anticipated event among Korean and international fans.

A Dramatic 5-Set Showdown

The match was a rollercoaster, with Lee Sin-young barely surviving after being down 1-2 in set scores. Han Ji-eun had a match point in the 4th set, just one point away from victory, but missed it. Lee then took advantage, winning the 4th set 11-10 and pushing the match into a decisive 5th set. Lee quickly gained momentum, scoring crucial bank shots and leading 5-1 early. She closed out the match 9-5, completing a stunning comeback to enter the quarterfinals. This victory marks Lee's fourth time reaching the LPBA quarterfinals and her second pursuit of the semifinals.

Community Reactions and Cultural Insight

Fans on Korean platforms like Naver and DC Inside celebrated Lee Sin-young's resilience and tactical prowess, highlighting her mental toughness under pressure. There were mixed emotions for Han Ji-eun supporters, who praised her sharp play yet lamented the missed opportunity. Korean billiards culture deeply values these comebacks and close contests, reflecting the sport’s growing popularity and the passionate fanbase of female billiards athletes. The rivalry between Lee and Han also symbolizes the rising level of competition and visibility for women in cue sports in Korea.

Looking Ahead in the Championship

Following this intense match, Lee Sin-young is set to face the winner of the match between Kang Ji-eun and Kim Min-ah in the next round. Meanwhile, Han Ji-eun’s streak of consecutive semifinal appearances ends here, but her performance this season remains impressive. Other notable results from the tournament include the surprising upset of Kim Ga-young by Baek Min-joo and the strong showing of players like Im Kyung-jin and Kim Sang-ah, underlining the depth of talent in Korean women's billiards this year.