Ayako Sakai Aims for Third LPBA Japan Championship
By Kwon Soo-yeon
Goyang, MHN Sports – Ayako Sakai, representing Hana Card, made history by becoming the first professional finalist, and now sets her sights on clinching her third LPBA Japan championship.
In the semi-final of the ‘SY LPBA Championship’ held at the KINTEX PBA Stadium in Goyang on the 4th, Ayako Sakai defeated Dasom Park with a convincing set score of 3-1 (10-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-1), securing her spot in the finals.
Both players made their first appearance in the semi-finals as professionals, but Sakai went one step further, making it to her first finals and breaking her own record.
Sakai joined the professional billiards scene in the 2019-2020 season, and apart from a brief pause in the 2020-2021 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she has been actively competing. This year, with improved performance, she joined Hana Card and participated in the team league.
In an exclusive post-match interview, Sakai expressed her elation at reaching her first professional final. She said, “I am extremely happy. At the moment, all I can say is that I am overjoyed.” She further revealed her mindset before each tournament, stating, “I always enter the game with the determination to come out victorious.”
During the semi-final, Sakai showcased a remarkable display by scoring 10 bank shots in the fourth set against Dasom Park. When asked about this extraordinary achievement, Sakai humbly replied, “I am highly confident and adept at bank shots.”
Looking ahead to the finals, Sakai mentioned the benefit of having only one game left and the improved focus that comes with separate competitions for men and women. She remarked, “The shorter duration of this tour due to the separation of genders has provided a better environment for concentration.”
Having joined Hana Card and participated in the team league for the first time this season, Sakai expressed her gratitude towards her teammates for their invaluable support. Despite the challenges of playing in a foreign country and being away from her two sons in Japan, the Hana Card team members have been a source of great assistance.
Currently, in the semi-finals, Sakai’s Hana Card teammate, “Billiards Empress” Kim Ga-young, is also competing against Kim Min-ah from NH Nonghyup Card. The winner of their match will face Sakai in the finals.
When asked about Ga-young Kim, Sakai expressed her admiration, stating, “I have tremendous respect for Ga-young Kim personally. Her ability to maintain high levels of concentration is something I find inspiring.”
Before preparing for the finals, Sakai took a moment to express her gratitude to the fans who have supported her both in Korea and abroad. She said, “I am immensely grateful to the individuals at Hana Card, particularly my colleagues, who have sent me numerous messages of support. The support from fans on social media and those who have attended the games is truly heartwarming. Knowing that my family in Japan and members of the billiards community watch my matches during live broadcasts brings me a sense of calm. Thank you all for your unwavering support. I will give my best in the finals. I would also like to extend my gratitude to our sponsor, Adam Japan.”
Hana Sakai Ayako card, PBA
(MHN Sports Goyang, Reporter Kwon Soo-yeon) He was able to realize his dream of becoming the first professional finalist in history. Now, he is aiming for a third LPBA Japan champion.
On the 4th, in the semi-final of the ‘SY LPBA Championship’ held at the KINTEX PBA Stadium in Goyang, Ayako Sakai (Japan, Hana Card) beat Dasom Park with a set score of 3-1 (10-11, 11-3, 11- 7, 11-1) and on to the finals.
Both advanced to the semi-finals for the first time as pros, and Sakai went one step further and reached the first finals, breaking his own record.
Sakai came over from the first year of the professional billiards launch in the 19-20 season, and is active in all seasons except the 20-21 season, which stopped briefly due to the spread of Corona 19. This year, based on the improved performance, he joined Hana Card and participated in the team league.
Sakai, whom we met after the game, conveyed his happy feelings about the first professional final stage live, saying, “I am very happy. For now, I can only say that I am happy.” He added, “I go into the game with the mindset of ‘I must always win’ before every tournament.”
On this day, Sakai showed an unprecedented performance by recording 10 bank shots in the 4th set against Parc Dasom. When asked about this, he said, “I’m very confident and good at bank shots.
Hana Sakai Ayako card, PBA
He continued, “It’s great to have one game left, and in the case of this tour, the days are shorter because the men and women are separated, so it seems to have become a better environment for focus on that part.”
Joining Hana Card this season and participating in the first professional team league together, he said he received a lot of help from the team. Right now, it’s a bit difficult to play the league in another country, leaving two sons in Japan, but Hana Card team members help a lot.
Currently, in the semi-finals, together with Sakai and Park Da-som, ‘Billiards Empress’ Kim Ga-young (Hana Card), who is on the same team as Sakai, is playing against Kim Min-ah (NH Nonghyup Card). The winner of the two will face Sakai.
When Sakai was asked about Ga-young Kim from the same team, he said, “I personally respect Ga-young Kim.” Because of this, I think the part that shows a lot of concentration is a point to learn.”
Before leaving to prepare for the finals, Sakai sent a message of thanks to the many fans who supported him in other countries as well as in Korea.
“I am grateful to the people at Hana Card, especially my colleagues, who sent me many messages of support. Also, many people supported me on social media, and I am also grateful to those who came to to see me. Everyone came too, my family in Japan and people in the billiards world watch the game every time there is a live broadcast, and I feel so calm. Thank you for your support, I will do my best in the finals. , our sponsor, Adam Japan thanks too”
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