Thailand's Pramual Janthad was crowned 2004 Asian Under 21 champion in Kuala Lumpur after completing a 6-4 win over local favourite Moh Keen Ho in the final.

Janthad beat Ho at the semi final stage two years ago and again had the edge on his Malaysian opponent. On that occasion Janthad had to take second place behind China's ding Jun Hui, but today he was triumphant.

Malaysia was happy overall with the performance of their players, which yielded the finalist and the fourth placed player in Chooi Yew Wah, who lost 4-2 to India's Aditya Mehta in the 3rd/4th play off.

It is an encouraging sign of the success of Malaysia's coaching scheme, which has both Chooi and Moh working under the watchful eye of national coach Sam Chong, the former professional. Additionally Malaysia has more young players working in their national academy and with a flourishing 'Snooker in Schools' policy it can be expected that Malaysia will be taking their place on the winner's rostrum before too long.

The final turned out to be a thriller, but Janthad provided the finishing touches in crucial frames, as was borne out by his compilation of vital breaks of 49, 71, 41 and 77, to which Moh could only respond with a run of 53 in frame eight, which he lost to Janthad's run of 77.

And it was that frame which finally turned the tide in Janthad's favour, although Moh gamely held on to take the next on the black, he finally lost out 63-31 in frame ten.

Janthad reached the final with a comprehensive 5-0 win over Malaysia's Chooi Yew Wah.  The Thai player  stroked in breaks of 48, 56 and 61 in the first three frames and although Chooi battled on, Janthad sneaked the next two on the colours to book his place in the final.

Moh Keen Ho ousted India's Aditya Mehta 5-2 in their semi final clash. The highlight was a run of 84 from Moh in frame four to open up a 4-0 lead.

Mehta battled back taking the next two frames and he looked set to move within one frame, but Moh succeeded in getting two snookers and clinched the frame on the black.

RESULTS

Asian Under 21 Results

RESOURCES