Hongkonger Capito claims UK Open Pool Championship, urges city officials not to slash sport’s funding
- Robbie Capito beats Mieszko Fortunski 13-10 in final at the Telford International Centre
- Young gun says loss of Tier A status means a 90 per cent loss of funding for sport in Hong Kong
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Hong Kong’s Robbie Capito won his first Matchroom Major on Sunday, taking the UK Open Pool Championship title, and then urged the city’s government to reverse the decision to downgrade billiard sports.
The 22-year-old beat Mieszko Fortunski of Poland 13-10 at the Telford International Centre, a rare victory among Hong Kong’s cueists who have struggled to impose themselves internationally in recent years.
A failure to meet certain targets, means that from 2025 billiards will drop out of the list of Tier A sports that get funding from the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI).
“I’ve been working so hard for his moment, I made it clear at the start of the week that I wasn’t just here to participate,” said Capito, who was born to Philippines parents in Hong Kong. “I was here to win my first Matchroom Major, and today, I have achieved just that.”
The Hongkonger stormed to the final having chalked off former world champions Fedor Gorst and Joshua Filler along the way before “staying calm” to come back from two frames down against Fortunski to put his hand on the US$30,000 (HK$234,000) winner’s cheque.
“This is a massive title for Hong Kong sports, especially since we are facing a substantial cut of 90 per cent funding from HKSI,” the world No 51 said.
“We may have to find a job, or rely on [tournament] bonuses to make a living, so 2025 is going to be difficult for us all, I just hope this title will make our government pay more attention to billiard sports.”
Capito, who started playing pool at the age of two after his parents bought him a mini pool table from a toy store, also took time to dedicate his victory to his late father.
“My dad passed away due to sickness when I was only 13, he was the one who introduced me to the pool,” he said. “I couldn’t let him see me winning this when he was still around, but I believe I am making him proud still.”
