Xiao strikes Gold in Vietnam
Xiao Guodong won the Gold Medal in the 6 red discipline in the Asian Indoor Games
China's Xiao Guodong beat his team mate Liang Wenbo to claim the Gold Medal at the prestigious multi sport games in Ho Chi Min City.
Guodong had two routine wins and two nervy deciders to reach the final. Having beaten Iraq's Ali Jali Ali 5-0, he scraped past Thailand's Supoj Saenla 5-4.
An easy 5-0 win over Qatar's Nisar ahmed in the quarter finals was followed by a titanic struggle against India's Manan Chandra in the semi final. Guodong won the decider 49-0 to book his place in the final.
Chandra subsequently lost 4-2 to Yu Lun Wu of Chinese Taipei in the Bronze place Play off.
Liang Wenbo was also pushed to a decider in his semi final against Yu Lun Wu. Coming from behind he ran out the last two frame 53-0 and 72-0 to set up an All Chinese final.
Wenbo took an early 2-0 lead in the final before Guodong fought back, first to level the match and then run out five frames on the spin for a 5-2 victory.
In the ladies event it was also an All Chinese final. Simeng Chen beat Bi Jhuqing 4-1.
The host country Vietnam holds high hopes of lifting gold in the Carom division, where The Vinh Ly and Anh Vu Duong lead Vietnam's challenge.
The Cuesports section also embraces Men's 9-ball Pool. With the Philippines not in the event, the medals are very much 'up for grabs'. Chinese Taipei have two men through to the semi finals, where they will have Singaporean and Chinese opposition.
