KO PIN YI: A DECADE ON
In 2015, Ko Pin Yi achieved what few players ever dream of—he conquered the world of pool.
In one remarkable calendar year, Ko won the World 9-Ball Championship, the World 10-Ball Championship, and the World Cup of Pool. It was a golden treble that established him as one of the game’s true greats.
Now, a decade on, Ko returns to the World Pool Championship not just as a former champion, but as a player with renewed purpose and a sharpened game, carrying the pride of Chinese Taipei and the hopes of a new generation on his shoulders.
What he remembers most from that unforgettable 2015 run isn’t the trophies—but the people beside him. “My brothers were with me during those tournaments, which gave me a great sense of comfort and allowed me to compete with peace of mind,” Ko reflects. “My family was also very supportive, which meant a lot to me.”
That final match in the World 9-Ball Championship, the moment he potted the winning ball to become champion of the world, lives on vividly. “Winning a world championship is every professional player’s dream. In that moment, I achieved it. More than just happiness, it gave me confidence—the confidence to proudly say, ‘I am a world champion.’”
But time has passed, and the game has evolved. So too has Ko.
As he returns to the sport’s biggest stage ten years on, the fire still burns—but with a different kind of energy. “I’m approaching this year’s World Championship with a calm mindset,” he says. “Of course, if I can achieve that dream again, I’ll be extremely happy, and I’ll give my all to compete at my best.”
His record since 2015 proves he remains a force in world pool. In 2023, he added the prestigious World Pool Masters, then claimed the inaugural Reyes Cup, won as part of Team Asia last year. “To me, every tournament is a new challenge,” he says. “The World Pool Masters was actually the title I dreamed of the most, so winning it made me even happier than winning the World Championship. The Reyes Cup is a team event that requires strong chemistry, and being able to win that with Team Asia made me very happy as well.”
What sets Ko apart today isn’t just his past—it’s how he’s adapted to the present. Over the last decade, the level of competition has intensified. Ko has had no choice but to grow with it. “Technically, I think I’ve improved a lot because all the top players have been constantly getting stronger. So I’ve had to keep improving myself too. Mentally, I’ve become more mature and better at handling pressure and difficult situations.”
In a deeper, more physically demanding game, staying at the top takes more than just talent. “I believe the key elements are skill and mindset,” he says. “But physical endurance is also crucial. Even if you have great technique, without good stamina, you can’t perform at your best.”
Today, Ko is more than a competitor—he’s a leader. An icon to the wave of young players coming out of Chinese Taipei. “I hope I can inspire these young players to work harder and follow in my footsteps,” he says. “I’m always willing to share my experience with them. I hope that in the future, we’ll see even more world champions coming out of Taiwan.”
That legacy matters to him just as much as medals and prize money. But don’t mistake perspective for complacency. The hunger remains. “Absolutely,” he says. “I still have a strong desire to win every tournament I play. Beyond rankings and prize money, what really drives me is the hope of making the pool scene in Taiwan and all of Asia even better—and inspiring more people to fall in love with the game because of me.”
Ten years on, Ko Pin Yi is no longer the young phenom chasing his first world title. He’s the seasoned champion who’s seen it all—and still has something to prove.
