KUALA LUMPUR: The dynamic duo of Lim Kok Leong and Moh Keen Hoo created history today by winning the World Amateur Team Snooker Championship for the second time.
Kok Leong-Keen Hoo, representing Malaysia 1, defeated Thailand's Kritsanut Lertsattayathorn-Jong Rak Boonrod 4-2 at the High End Snooker Club in Kuala Lumpur.
Kok Leong-Keen Hoo won the best-of-seven final 59-25, 35-81, 45-77, 75-16, 59-1, 83-34.
They started off well by winning the first frame 59-25, but made some errors and lost the next two frames.
But backed by the home crowd, Kok Leong-Keen Hoo came back strongly to win the next three frames.
In prevailing, the Malaysian duo showed they could raise their game at world level.
Pakistan's Ahsan Ramzan-Babar Masih and Malaysia 2's Thor Chuan Leong- Reza Hassan, who lost in the semi-finals, settled for the bronze.
A delighted Keen Hoo said: "It was a dream come true for us to win this title. We had expected a hard time as we had lost to the Thais 3-2 in the round robin earlier.
"We were trailing 2-1 this time but we never gave up and slowly fought back to level the score 2-2.
"Winning the fourth frame was a booster for us as we played much better in the next two frames to go ahead.
"Winning the world title in our own homeground is the best result any athlete can ask for.
"We are proud of our success as we are the first Malaysian to win the world title for the second time," said Keen Hoo who partnered Kok Leong to their first world title in Karachi in 2015.
Kok Leong, who was initially speechless after winning the match, said: "It has been a great year for me as I had also won the Sea Games singles gold in Hanoi in May and now we are world champions for the second time.
"It was a great fightback for us in the final and we hope to continue doing well in the coming tournaments," said Kok Leong.
Kok Leong and Keen Hoo will head to Turkey next month to play in the World Championships (15 reds) but in the singles as there is no doubles event.
Malaysia Billiards and Snooker Federation president Melvin Chia was thrilled with the success of Kok Leong and Keen Hoo.
"We targeted them to only reach the semi-finals but they defied the odds to reach the final. What was really fantastic about them is that they rose to the occasion and delivered when it mattered most in the final.
"They will get incentives from the National Sports Council for their achievement. We also hope that with their success, the NSC will give more financial support to our association."