JOHANN CHUA BEGINS TITLE DEFENCE AGAINST IVICA PUTNIK AS DRAW CONFIRMED FOR 2025 HANOI OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 01 Oct 2025
The draw has been confirmed for the 2025 Hanoi Open Pool Championship, with reigning champion Johann Chua beginning his first Major title defence against Croatia’s Ivica Putnik in a blockbuster opening-round clash.
Chua, who captured his maiden Major title in Hanoi last year, returns to defend his crown against a world-class field featuring the sport’s biggest stars, living legends, and a formidable home contingent ready to make their mark on one of the World Nineball Tour’s most prestigious events.
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As one of the most thrilling Majors on the World Nineball Tour, the Hanoi Open Pool Championship will once again take place in the heart of Vietnam. The 2025 edition runs from October 7–12 at the My Vietnam National Sports Complex, with over 40 nations represented — including an incredible 68 players flying the flag for the host country.
Selected First Round Matches
Johann Chua (PHI) v Ivica Putnik (HRV)
Fedor Gorst (USA) v Wang Ming (CHN)
Duong Quoc Hoang (VNM) v Kuo Hsuan Wei (TPE)
Francisco Sánchez Ruiz (ESP) v Bui Trung Nguyen (VNM)
Carlo Biado (PHI) v Krit Chanlongboot (THA)
Albert Januarta (IDN) v Kenney Nguyen (USA)
Skyler Woodward (USA) v Chawanwit Karnnadee (THA)
AJ Manas (PHI) v Rachid Bouchareb (FRA)
Mickey Krause (DEN) v Vi Ngoc Huy (VNM)
Jayson Shaw (GBR) v Abdullah Alshammari (KSA)
Aloysius Yapp (SGP) v Nguyen Bao Chau (VNM)
View the full draw now at www.wntlivescores.com.
Joining Chua in the spotlight is World No.1 Fedor Gorst, who opens against Wang Ming of China as he hunts yet another Major crown. Hot on his heels is World No.2 Aloysius Yapp, chasing his fourth consecutive Major of the season, beginning with a test against local talent Nguyen Bao Chau.
Reigning World Champion Carlo Biado returns to Hanoi following last year’s semi-final run, starting against Krit Chanlongboot of Thailand. Meanwhile, former Hanoi Open champion Jayson Shaw faces Abdullah Alshammari of Saudi Arabia as he looks to reclaim his crown.
Home favourite Duong Quoc Hoang takes on Chinese Taipei’s Kuo Hsuan Wei in a marquee tie, while Mosconi Cup veteran Skyler Woodward begins his campaign against Thailand’s Chawanwit Karnnadee, with both players in search of a first Matchroom Major title.
Adding further intrigue, last year’s Hanoi Junior Champion Albert Januarta meets Kenney Nguyen of the USA, while fellow former Junior champion AJ Manas battles France’s Rachid Bouchareb as both eye a breakthrough Major triumph.
With all of the WNT’s top four ranked players in action and the tournament marking the final event before the Reyes Cup 2025 Rankings Qualification Cut Off, the stage is set for six days of unmissable drama, skill, and world-class competition.
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