While Kim Ga Young was in Shanghai this week, I took the opportunity to ask her a few questions about her past and her spectacular entry onto the US Women’s 9-ball scene in 2003. Her English skills are limited, so her comments have been re-written for readability.

AZB: Can you tell me about when you started playing pool and why?

Kim: I started playing Carom about 7 years ago in South Korea at my father’s billiard hall. I later switched to 9 ball because there are few tournaments available in Carom, especially for female players. I have grown to prefer the game of 9-ball. (Note: Kim will turn 21 in January 2004)

AZB: Who were your greatest influences in your development as a top pro player?

Kim: My father is my greatest influence and is a regular practice partner and coach when I visit home in South Korea.

AZB: Could you tell us the highlights of your past year?

Kim: My greatest highlight was reaching the final of the WPBA US Open 9-Ball Tournament and competing well for most of the match against Karen Corr in the final.

AZB: In that US Open Final, you showed great courage to comeback from behind against Karen Corr and then miscued at a crucial time to lose the match. What are your thoughts about that?

Kim: All of a sudden I realized that I was so close to actually becoming the US Open Champion. I felt a great deal of pressure and nervousness at that point and that explains why I miscued on the 8-ball. The atmosphere was extremely tense, which may have been why Karen then missed and gave me another chance. It was very disappointing that my nerves again troubled me and I missed this great opportunity.

AZB: Tell me about your busy schedule playing all around the US and the World this year?

Kim: I like traveling, so I enjoyed the opportunity to get acquainted with the US, to improve my English and to meet so many nice people. My good friend Jenny Seaver, who is the top amateur player in Florida was extremely helpful by giving me a place to stay and getting me to tournaments I needed to attend to qualify for the main WPBA tour. I believe I need a top 32 place in the first event in 2004 to earn one more point to qualify.

AZB: What is your advice for other Asian women who plan to try the US tour?

Kim: The most important thing for them to do is to learn English so that they can overcome barriers such as travel, food, entries and knowing what to do, where to be and when, during the events.

AZB: What were your greatest successes prior to 2003?

Kim: I was very pleased with my 4th place ranking in the Amway Cup in Taiwan in 2001.

AZB: I’ve heard you moved from South Korea to Taiwan to improve your game. Tell me about that and compare the popularity and development of the game in Korea and Taiwan?

Kim: I improved quite a lot after moving to Taiwan. There are many strong events and many great players to compete and practice with. While Carom is a very popular sport in South Korea, 9-ball is quite new. 9-Ball in Taiwan is huge with lots of television broadcasting of events for men and women. 9-ball is on par with basketball and baseball as the popular sports in Taiwan.

AZB: How would you compare Women’s pool talent in Asia versus the USA?

Kim: I think the Asian women players are generally better at an attacking game whereas the American women are stronger in defense.

AZB: How do you practice and who are your practice partners?

Kim: I usually practice from 6 to 10 hours each day. When in Korea I practice with my father, while in Taiwan I usually practice with the male players.

AZB: Tell us a few things about the Daphne Asian Women’s Tour and your impressions?

Kim: This tour is a very good opportunity for Asian women players and is doing a lot to make the game more popular in Mainland China.

AZB: What is your favorite event in Asia?

Kim: My favorite event is the Continental Team Cup, which is held in Taiwan.

AZB: How do you see the future of Women’s Pool in Asia and the rest of the world?

Kim: Women’s pool has a very strong future. The number of events is increasing in the US and also in China. The inclusion of pool into the Asian Games will also help pool to continue to gain a higher profile in the future.

Shortly after the interview, Kim Ga Young defeated the former World Champion Liu Shin Mei in the final leg of the Daphne Asian Women’s Tour netting a handy US$3,500 purse. This was her 2nd win of the four-leg tour across China. Watch out for Kim’s powerful and aggressive games in the US in 2004.

Interview by Colin Colenso
Colin is the president of Human Action Media, which is based in Shanghai, China. www.hamcorp.com