Amit secures World Games berth

Rubilen “Bingkay” Amit, a three-time world champion in billiards, is preparing to compete in the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China, where she aims to expand her collection of global titles.

The accomplished Filipina cue artist, who recently secured her spot in the Games, is optimistic about her chances on the world stage.

Amit earned her berth after placing second in the Asian 10-Ball Women’s Pool Championships in Doha, Qatar. In the final, she narrowly fell to China’s Liu Shasha, who clinched the title in a 7-6 thriller. Amit’s compatriot, Chezka Centeno, who was defeated by Liu in the semifinals, finished third alongside China’s Yu Han.

“This finish has secured my qualification for the 2025 World Games in Chengdu,” said Amit, a 10-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist. Amit, 43, is a native of Mandaue City and an accountancy graduate from the University of Santo Tomas. Her illustrious career includes three world titles, the most recent being the WPA Women’s World 9-Ball Championship in New Zealand earlier this year.

First gold

Amit is poised to emulate the achievements of Carlo Biado, who captured the men’s nine-ball singles gold at the 2017 World Games in Wroclaw, Poland. Biado’s victory marked the Philippines’ first gold at the prestigious multisport event, which has included non-Olympic sports since 1985. Junna Tsukii of karate replicated Biado’s success in the 2022 Birmingham edition by winning the women’s 50kg kumite.

Joining Amit in Chengdu are several other Filipino athletes, including Olympic boxer-turned-kickboxer Hergie Bacyadan and the Philippine dragon boat and floorball teams. The dragon boat squad earned their spot with a strong showing at the ICF Dragon Boat World Championships in Puerto Princesa City, where they captured 11 gold, 20 silver and 16 bronze medals.

Bacyadan qualified for kickboxing by winning the women’s K1 -70kg division at the 2024 Asian Kickboxing Championships in Cambodia.

The 2025 World Games provides Amit another opportunity to solidify her legacy on the global stage.