Kim Ga-young ('Queen of Billiards') from Hana Card has become the brightest star of this season in professional billiards PBA.
On the 19th, Kim Ga-young won the grand award at the 2024-25 season professional billiards awards ceremony, 'PBA Golden Cue Awards 2025', held at the Vista Hall of the Grand Walkerhill in Seoul by the Professional Billiards Association (PBA), led by President Kim Young-soo.
Kim Ga-young secured the grand award by defeating competitors with seven consecutive victories in her personal tour this season. She also swept four awards, including Best Average, Bankshot Award, and 'Jebisco Prize Money King.'
Kim Ga-young said, "I just practiced billiards hard, but there are many people who truly supported me in various ways and worked for the development of billiards. If it weren't for them, this place wouldn't exist."
She added, "Although I am a senior as a pocket billiards player, I am still close to being a newcomer as a three-cushion player. Just as I received a lot of help, I will strive to be a wonderful senior who cares for the juniors present and everyone who dreams of becoming a billiards player in the future."
Dong-goong Kang ('Hulk') from SK Rent-a-Car had an outstanding season with two victories and two runner-up finishes. In addition, he secured the grand award by recording 402,000 season points, surpassing David Martinez (Spain, Crown Haitai) by 24,000 points, who had 378,000 points.
Kang also shone in the team league. By demonstrating unique leadership, he led SK Rent-a-Car to its first championship and also received the honor of team league grand award. In addition to the grand award, Kang achieved a triple crown by winning the Bankshot Award.
Kang said, "I always feel that the grand award is not something anyone can receive. I really wanted to win the grand award. Especially this year, David Martinez (Spain, Crown Haitai) competed hard with three victories until the end, and I want to express my gratitude for his efforts. It wasn't easy to get here, and I want to thank everyone who helped me."
In addition, at the awards ceremony, Kim Young-won, who won the title of the youngest professional billiards player at the age of 17 years and 23 days during the 6th tour (NH Nonghyup Card PBA Championship), and Kwon Bal-hae (SY), who finished second in the 5th tour (Huons Championship), received the Young Star Award.
Eddie Leppens (Belgium, SK Rent-a-Car) also showcased his presence by winning three awards at this awards ceremony. He won the Best Men's Doubles Award together with his teammate Ngo Dinh Nai (Vietnam), in addition to the Team League Grand Award, and also received the Model Award. The Women's Model Award went to Kim Sang-ah.
Baek Min-joo and Lim Jeong-sook from Crown Haitai received the team league Women's Doubles Award again this year, while the Mixed Doubles Award went to Murat Naci Colcu (Turkey) from Hana Card and Sakai Ayako (Japan). The team league Best Singles Award was won by Kang Min-gu and Srong Piya-bee (Cambodia) from Woori Financial Capital.
The Best Dresser Award for the best attire at this awards ceremony went to Javier Palazon (Spain, Huons) and Lee Mi-rae, who wore a purple dress matching the colors of her team, High One Resort.
The Contribution Award in the sports sector was awarded to Kim Young-heon, special advisor to the PBA, while the Contribution Award in the local government sector went to Yang Kyung-ho, a member of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Provincial Council. The media sector awards went to Lee Sang-keun, CEO of SBS Sports, Kim Ku-san, head of MBC Sports Plus, Kim Jeong-hwan, CEO of IB Sports, and Ha Yong-un, CEO of VeriMedia.
[List of winners for the ‘PBA Golden Cue Awards 2025’]
- Contribution Award (Sports sector): Kim Young-heon, special advisor to the PBA.
- Contribution Award (Local government sector): Yang Kyung-ho, member of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Provincial Council.
- Contribution Award (Media sector): Lee Sang-keun, CEO of SBS Sports, Kim Ku-san, head of MBC Sports Plus, Kim Jeong-hwan, CEO of IB Sports, and Ha Yong-un, CEO of VeriMedia.
- Model Award: Eddie Leppens (SK Rent-a-Car), Kim Sang-ah.
- Dream Tour MVP: Kim Tae-ho.
- Best Front Award: Hana Card Hana Pay.
- Best Doubles Award: SK Rent-a-Car Eddie Leppens (Belgium) - Ngo Dinh Nai (Vietnam) / Crown Haitai Baek Min-joo - Lim Jeong-sook.
- Best Mixed Doubles Award: Hana Card Murat Naci Colcu (Turkey) - Sakai Ayako (Japan).
- Best Singles Award: Kang Min-gu, Srong Piya-bee (both from Woori Financial Capital).
- Best Supporters Award: Woori Financial Capital Woori One WeVis.
- Team League Grand Award: SK Rent-a-Car Direct.
- Young Star Award: Kim Young-won, Kwon Bal-hae (SY).
- Best Dresser Award: Javier Palazon (Spain, Huons), Lee Mi-rae (High One Resort).
- Best Performance Award: Kim Se-yeon (Huons).
- Bankshot Award: Kang Dong-goong (SK Rent-a-Car), Kim Ga-young (Hana Card).
- Best Average Award: Semi Saygner (Turkey, Welcome Savings Bank), Kim Ga-young (Hana Card).
- Jebisco Prize Money Ranking Money King: David Martinez (Spain, Crown Haitai), Kim Ga-young (Hana Card).
- Grand Award: Kang Dong-goong (SK Rent-a-Car), Kim Ga-young (Hana Card).
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