Doubters pushed world champ Biado to Athlete of the Year level

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

When it rains, it pours.

That was exactly the kind of year 2017 was for Carlo Biado, pocketing glory like he effortlessly does on the billiard table wherever he takes the cue.

After winning gold medals in the 2017 World Games and in the 2017 SEA Games, the 34-year-old cuemaster had his biggest moment when he ruled the 2017 World 9-Ball Championship in Doha, Qatar.

READ: Carlo Biado rules world 9-ball 

“I’m so happy because I never expected the continued success I’ll achieve,” he said Tuesday when he was named as one of the three Athletes of the Year in the SMC-Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards night.

Biado’s triumph reasserted the Philippines’ standing as one of the elite countries in the world when it comes to billiards.

But even the La Union native had to prove himself in the competition as he faced doubters along the way.

READ: Biado credits pool legends Bata, Django for gold medal win

“The other athletes were saying that I’m not good and I won’t win. That’s when I was challenged and I worked hard in every match I had,” he said. “I like that more because I’m motivated against them. After that, my hard work eventually paid off and my success continued all year long.”

Biado looks at this achievement as a constant reminder of where he came from.

“My dream was to just have a good family and to become a world champion. To be an Athlete of the Year is unexpected on my part and this will serve as a good reminder of the good things that has happened in my life,” he said.

READ: Carlo Biado wins PH’s 2nd gold in pool

But Biado is not resting on his laurels, with prestigious titles in world events this year up for grabs, including a chance for a back back-to-back titles in world 9-Ball

“I hope I can continue winning. If I can, I hope I can win back-to-back in the world events so that they will look up to us Filipinos once again in billiards,” he said.

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