CHANG JUNG-LIN: A CHAMPION REMEMBERED
Chang Jung-Lin: 1985-2025
Chang Jung-Lin was a towering presence, both in terms of physical stature and career achievement.
The tower was cruelly felled last week when the 40 year-old from Taiwan died suddenly in Jakarta, Indonesia.
His passing has left the world of pool deeply saddened, shocked and, as always in such unfathomably tragic circumstances, grieving for one taken so young.
Chang was competing in the Indonesian capital. He had won a match the day he died, adding another wrenching layer to the subsequently dreadful news.
Rarely is abruptness so truly awful.
Chang had been due to take part here in Jeddah at the World Pool Championship, a serious contender to bolster a lengthy list of notable titles.
He was then heading to Chengdu in China to represent his country at the World Games, no doubt hoping to go one better than in Columbia twelve years ago when he collected a silver medal.
It was again silver when Chang announced his arrival on the international stage by reaching the final of the 2003 World Junior Championship but, so often while developing into a formidable opponent, he struck gold.
Known in his homeland as ‘Devil Fire Cloud’ Chang turned up the heat on rivals all around the world. He was victorious in Virginia, brilliant in Beijing, joyous in Japan.
Chang won the All-Japan Championship in both 2012 and 2017, the Beijing 9-Ball Open in 2011, the 2020 Las Vegas Open and, as recently as last year, prevailed at the Asian 10-Ball Championship.
Having studied at the Chinese Culture University, Chang embarked on a mission to display versatility at the highest level in all disciplines of the game.
Emerging from the traditionally stacked field, Chang became International Open champion in 2018 and was hugely impressive on the way to triumphing at the Derby City Classic’s Bigfoot Challenge in 2019.
They were major milestones, but Chang’s biggest moment came at the 2012 World 8-Ball Championship in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.
In his three matches immediately preceding the final, Chang overcame Carlo Biado (9-5), Oliver Ortmann (9-3) and Chris Melling (9-7) before lifting the trophy by beating Fu Che-Wei, a fellow countryman, 11-6.
Chang was a frequent World Nine-Ball Tour competitor, always on the list of potential success stories.
I last saw him play at the UK Open in Telford. Strolling around the outside tables during a break in commentary, I paused to watch the big man stroke in a 9-Ball from distance with customary authority.
At the time, the moment had little resonance. Now, whenever I revisit my memories of Chang, it will be front and centre, my personal snapshot of a truly outstanding cueman.
Phil Yates
Author
