Johann Chua claims Duya Airplay Sport 5800 Charity Cup Crown, pockets US$50,000 tops prize
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 30 May 2026
The Philippines’ Johann Chua secured his first-ever Duya Legends title in brilliant fashion, overpowering China’s Lai Kun Zhang with a final score of 113–61 in the championship match of the Duya Aiplay Sport 5800 Charity Cup, held in Melaka, Malaysia Friday, May 29, 2026.
Hailing from General Trias City, Cavite, Chua’s road to the championship featured a hard-fought semi-final victory over former Duya champion Ko Pin Yi of Taiwan. That clash was a tight, back-and-forth battle decided by a narrow 75–72 score in Chua’s favor, the much known "Bad Koi" in the pool world.
With this historic win, Chua became the first Filipino player to clinch a DLT championship, taking home the grand prize of RM200,000 — approximately US$50,000.
An even bigger tournament lies ahead on June 17: the 2026 Duya Legends Golden Nine Beijing International Open, where the top reward for the global champion is set at ¥5 million, or roughly US$739,000.
Chua is fresh from winning the inaugural Pattaya Open (9-ball) after defeating compatriot James Aranas in the final, 15-5, at the S1 Pool Hall & Sport Bar in Pattaya, Thailand held from March 2-6,2026.
Chua took the US$22,500 top prize, while Aranas went home with US$12,500.-Marlon Bernardino -
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