{{Short description|Vietnamese pool player}}
{{Short description|Vietnamese pool player}}
{{Infobox pool player|name=Dương Quốc Hoàng|birth_date={{birth date and age|1987|05|19}}|birth_place=[[Quang Ninh]]|sport_country=[[Vietnam]]|nickname=The Martian, Hoàng Sao|other_wins=2024 Scottish Open, 2024 Reyes Cup, 2025 Reyes Cup|website=https://hoangsao.vn/about-us/|image=Dương Quốc Hoàng.jpg}}
{{Infobox pool player|name=Dương Quốc Hoàng|birth_date={{birth date and age|1987|05|19}}|birth_place=[[Quang Ninh]]|sport_country=[[Vietnam]]|nickname=The Martian, Hoàng Sao|other_wins=2024 Scottish Open, 2024 Reyes Cup, 2025 Reyes Cup|website=https://hoangsao.vn/about-us/|image=Dương Quốc Hoàng.jpg}}
”’Dương Quốc Hoàng,”’ known as “The Martian” or “Hoang Sao”, is the ”’highest-ranked”’ Vietnamese pool player on the World Nineball Tour(WNT).{{Cite web |title=Duong Quoc Hoang |url=https://matchroompool.com/players/duong-quoc-hoang/ |access-date=2025-11-01 |website=Matchroom Pool |language=en-GB}} In 2024, he became the first player from [[Vietnam]] to win a tournament on the World Nine-ball tour when he won the Scottish Open.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-06 |title=Quoc Hoang makes history at Jacoby Scottish Open 2024 |url=https://english.vov.vn/en/sports/quoc-hoang-makes-history-at-jacoby-scottish-open-2024-post1093419.vov |access-date=2025-11-01 |website=VOV.VN |language=en}} Dương is also a back-to-back [[Reyes Cup]] champion, having represented Team Asia in 2024 and 2025.
Dương Quốc Hoàng, known as “The Martian” or “Hoang Sao”, is the highest-ranked Vietnamese pool player on the World Nineball Tour(WNT).{{Cite web |title=Duong Quoc Hoang |url=https://matchroompool.com/players/duong-quoc-hoang/ |access-date=2025-11-01 |website=Matchroom Pool |language=en-GB}} In 2024, he became the first player from [[Vietnam]] to win a tournament on the World Nine-ball tour when he won the Scottish Open.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-06 |title=Quoc Hoang makes history at Jacoby Scottish Open 2024 |url=https://english.vov.vn/en/sports/quoc-hoang-makes-history-at-jacoby-scottish-open-2024-post1093419.vov |access-date=2025-11-01 |website=VOV.VN |language=en}} Dương is also a back-to-back [[Reyes Cup]] champion, having represented Team Asia in 2024 and 2025.
== Early life ==
== Early life ==
In February 2023 Dương Quốc Hoàng again defeated Shane Van Boening, this time during the World Pool Championship in [[Poland]].{{cite web |title=HISTORIC AFTERNOON SEES DEFENDING CHAMPION OUT OF WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP 2023 |url=https://matchroompool.com/news/historic-afternoon-sees-defending-champion-out-of-world-pool-championship-2023/ |website=Matchroom Pool |access-date=4 January 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Du Yen |title=Huyền thoại Shane Van Boening – đối thủ đầy duyên nợ của Dương Quốc Hoàng ở đấu trường billiards thế giới |url=https://webthethao.vn/billiards/huyen-thoai-shane-van-boening-doi-thu-day-duyen-no-cua-duong-quoc-hoang-o-dau-truong-billiards-the-gioi-DdW5WNBIR.htm |website=webthethao |access-date=4 January 2025}}
In February 2023 Dương Quốc Hoàng again defeated Shane Van Boening, this time during the World Pool Championship in [[Poland]].{{cite web |title=HISTORIC AFTERNOON SEES DEFENDING CHAMPION OUT OF WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP 2023 |url=https://matchroompool.com/news/historic-afternoon-sees-defending-champion-out-of-world-pool-championship-2023/ |website=Matchroom Pool |access-date=4 January 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Du Yen |title=Huyền thoại Shane Van Boening – đối thủ đầy duyên nợ của Dương Quốc Hoàng ở đấu trường billiards thế giới |url=https://webthethao.vn/billiards/huyen-thoai-shane-van-boening-doi-thu-day-duyen-no-cua-duong-quoc-hoang-o-dau-truong-billiards-the-gioi-DdW5WNBIR.htm |website=webthethao |access-date=4 January 2025}}
His victory in the 2024 Scottish Open in [[Rutherglen]] made him the first player from Vietnam to win a tournament on the World Nineball Tour. He defeated Oscar Dominguez 10{{nbnd}}8 in the final. En route to the final, he defeated [[Carlo Biado]], [[Francisco Sánchez Ruíz]], [[Eklent Kaçi]] and [[Ko Pin-yi]] during the event.{{cite web |title=Duong Quoc Hoang wins loss-side five, four in double-elimination to win Jacoby Scottish Open |url=https://www.azbilliards.com/duong-quoc-hoang-wins-loss-side-five-four-in-double-elimination-to-win-jacoby-scottish-open/ |website=azbilliards.com |access-date=4 January 2025}}{{cite web |title=Vietnamese pool player Duong Quoc Hoang secures £10k prize after winning Scottish Open in Rutherglen |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/in-your-area/lanarkshire/vietnamese-pool-player-duong-quoc-32746575 |website=Daily Record |access-date=4 January 2025}}
His victory in the 2024 Scottish Open in [[]] made him the first player from Vietnam to win a tournament on the World Nineball Tour. He defeated Oscar Dominguez 10{{nbnd}}8 in the final. En route to the final, he defeated [[Carlo Biado]], [[Francisco Sánchez Ruíz]], [[Eklent Kaçi]] and [[Ko Pin-yi]] during the event.{{cite web |title=Duong Quoc Hoang wins loss-side five, four in double-elimination to win Jacoby Scottish Open |url=https://www.azbilliards.com/duong-quoc-hoang-wins-loss-side-five-four-in-double-elimination-to-win-jacoby-scottish-open/ |website=azbilliards.com |access-date=4 January 2025}}{{cite web |title=Vietnamese pool player Duong Quoc Hoang secures £10k prize after winning Scottish Open in Rutherglen |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/in-your-area/lanarkshire/vietnamese-pool-player-duong-quoc-32746575 |website=Daily Record |access-date=4 January 2025}}
In October 2024, Dương Quốc Hoàng was part of Team Asia, which defeated Team Europe 11–6 in Reyes Cup in [[Manila]], [[Philippines]]{{cite web |title=Vietnam’s top pool player beats former world champion three times at Reyes Cup |url=https://e.vnexpress.net/news/sports/other-sports/vietnam-s-top-pool-player-beats-former-world-champion-three-times-at-reyes-cup-4805685.html |access-date=4 January 2025 |website=VNExpress}}
In October 2024, Dương Quốc Hoàng was part of Team Asia, which defeated Team Europe 11–6 in Reyes Cup in [[Manila]], [[Philippines]]{{cite web |title=Vietnam’s top pool player beats former world champion three times at Reyes Cup |url=https://e.vnexpress.net/news/sports/other-sports/vietnam-s-top-pool-player-beats-former-world-champion-three-times-at-reyes-cup-4805685.html |access-date=4 January 2025 |website=VNExpress}}
Dương began the 2025 season with a victory at the Predator Challenge of Champions{{Cite web |last=Online |first=TTVH |date=2025-01–23 |title=Dương Quốc Hoàng ‘thống trị’ các danh hiệu tại Predator Vietnam Challenge of Champions 2025 |url=https://thethaovanhoa.vn/duong-quoc-hoang-thong-tri-cac-danh-hieu–tai–predator–vietnam-challenge-of-champions-2025-20250123064918929.htm |access-date=2025-12-12 |website=thethaovanhoa.vn |language=vi}} in January. Throughout the year, he maintained a consistent presence on the international stage, notably reaching the Last 16 of the World Pool Championship{{Cite web |last=Online |first=TTVH |date=2025-09-26 |title=Dương Quốc Hoàng dừng bước ở giải vô địch thế giới sau khi thua đáng tiếc cơ thủ hàng đầu Singapore |url=https://thethaovanhoa.vn/duong-quoc-hoang-dung-buoc-o-giai-vo-dich-the-gioi-sau-khi-thua-dang-tiec-co-thu-hang-dau-singapore-2025092615451452.htm |access-date=2025-12-12 |website=thethaovanhoa.vn |language=vi}} hosted in Ho Chi Minh City. During this run, he secured a 3-2 victory against [[Joshua Filler]] before being eliminated{{Cite news |last=VnExpress |title=”Hoàng Sao” nén đau để thắng ngược ở giải billiards 10 bi VĐTG |url=https://vnexpress.net/hoang-sao-nen-dau-de-thang-nguoc-o-giai-billiards-10-bi-vdtg-4943812.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250926020844/https://vnexpress.net/hoang-sao-nen-dau-de-thang-nguoc-o-giai-billiards-10-bi-vdtg-4943812.html |archive-date=2025-09-26 |access-date=2025-12-12 |work=vnexpress.net |language=vi}}. In October 2025, he rejoined Team Asia for the second edition of the [[Reyes Cup]], contributing to the team’s dominant 11–3 victory over Team Rest of World{{Cite news |title=Team Asia win inaugural Reyes Cup with 11-6 victory against Team Europe |url=https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/snooker/news/12243/13235963/team-asia-win-inaugural-reyes-cup-with-11-6-victory-against-team-europe |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250612115636/https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/snooker/news/12243/13235963/team-asia-win-inaugural-reyes-cup-with-11-6-victory-against-team-europe |archive-date=2025-06-12 |access-date=2025-12-12 |work=Sky Sports |language=en-GB}}.
Dương began 2025 with a victory at the of {{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025– |title=Dương Quốc Hoàng |url=https://.vn/duong-quoc-hoang-danh—-. |access-date=2025-12-12 |website= |language=vi}} in the year, he the Last 16 the {{Cite web |last=Online |first=TTVH |date=2025-09-26 |title=Dương Quốc Hoàng dừng bước ở giải vô địch thế giới sau khi thua đáng tiếc cơ thủ hàng đầu Singapore |url=https://thethaovanhoa.vn/duong-quoc-hoang-dung-buoc-o-giai-vo-dich-the-gioi-sau-khi-thua-dang-tiec-co-thu-hang-dau-singapore-2025092615451452.htm |access-date=2025-12-12 |website=thethaovanhoa.vn |language=vi}}. In October 2025, he rejoined Team Asia for the second edition of the [[Reyes Cup]], contributing to the team’s dominant 11–3 victory over Team Rest of World{{Cite news |title=Team Asia win inaugural Reyes Cup with 11-6 victory against Team Europe |url=https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/snooker/news/12243/13235963/team-asia-win-inaugural-reyes-cup-with-11-6-victory-against-team-europe |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250612115636/https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/snooker/news/12243/13235963/team-asia-win-inaugural-reyes-cup-with-11-6-victory-against-team-europe |archive-date=2025-06-12 |access-date=2025-12-12 |work=Sky Sports |language=en-GB}}.
He concluded the 2025 season with strong performances on the domestic circuit. In December, he won the HBSF MIN Table Championship{{Cite web |last=Online |first=TTVH |date=2025-12-05 |title=Cơ thủ Dương Quốc Hoàng lại có thêm một chức vô địch nữa |url=https://thethaovanhoa.vn/co-thu-duong-quoc-hoang-lai-co-them-mot-chuc-vo-dich-nua-2025120519121208.htm |access-date=2025-12-12 |website=thethaovanhoa.vn |language=vi}} and the Poison Eight-ball Championship.{{Cite web |title=POISON 8 BALL CHAMPIONSHIP powered by BOX BILLIARDS |url=https://cuescore.com/tournament/POISON+8+BALL+CHAMPIONSHIP+powered+by+BOX+BILLIARDS/73241797 |access-date=2025-12-12 |website=CueScore |language=en}}
He the 2025 . In December, he won the HBSF MIN Table Championship{{Cite web |last=Online |first=TTVH |date=2025-12-05 |title=Cơ thủ Dương Quốc Hoàng lại có thêm một chức vô địch nữa |url=https://thethaovanhoa.vn/co-thu-duong-quoc-hoang-lai-co-them-mot-chuc-vo-dich-nua-2025120519121208.htm |access-date=2025-12-12 |website=thethaovanhoa.vn |language=vi}} and the Poison Eight-ball Championship.{{Cite web |title=POISON 8 BALL CHAMPIONSHIP powered by BOX BILLIARDS |url=https://cuescore.com/tournament/POISON+8+BALL+CHAMPIONSHIP+powered+by+BOX+BILLIARDS/73241797 |access-date=2025-12-12 |website=CueScore |language=en}}
==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Vietnamese pool player
Dương Quốc Hoàng, known as “The Martian” or “Hoang Sao”, is the highest-ranked Vietnamese pool player on the World Nineball Tour(WNT).[1] In 2024, he became the first player from Vietnam to win a tournament on the World Nine-ball tour when he won the Scottish Open.[2] Dương is also a back-to-back Reyes Cup champion, having represented Team Asia in 2024 and 2025.
Dương Quốc Hoàng grew up in Quang Ninh. He began playing pool at a young age but stopped when he entered high school. At the age of 23, he moved to Ho Chi Minh City to find a new life, despite having no specific job prospects. At that time, Dương Quốc Hoàng had only VND2 million (approx. $100 in 2010) to his name, with no job or place to stay.[3]
In Ho Chi Minh City, Hoang found employment as a waiter at Sao Billiards Club. It was from this club that he adopted his nickname, ‘Hoang Sao’. The income from the job was not high, but it allowed him time to practice. His talent was noticed by Luu Minh Phuc, a billiards owner and player. Mr. Phuc became Hoang’s mentor and provided him with everything he needed to develop his career, including lodging, billiards equipment, and travel to tournaments.
In 2017 he became the National Champion and also won a silver medal at the 2017 SEA Games. In 2019, at the Beijing Open, he defeated Shane Van Boening for the first time.[4][3]
In February 2023 Dương Quốc Hoàng again defeated Shane Van Boening, this time during the World Pool Championship in Poland.[5][6]
His victory in the 2024 Scottish Open in Scotland made him the first player from Vietnam to win a tournament on the World Nineball Tour. He defeated Oscar Dominguez 10–8 in the final. En route to the final, he defeated Carlo Biado, Francisco Sánchez Ruíz, Eklent Kaçi and Ko Pin-yi during the event.[7][8]
In October 2024, Dương Quốc Hoàng was part of Team Asia, which defeated Team Europe 11–6 in Reyes Cup in Manila, Philippines[9]
Dương Quốc Hoàng began his 2025 international campaign with a notable victory at the Battle of the Bull when he defeated Fedor Gorst, the reigning World Champion, with a score of 9–6[10] Later in the year, he competed in the World Pool Championship hosted in Ho Chi Minh City. He advanced to the Last 16, securing a significant 3-2 victory against Joshua Filler during the tournament before being eliminated 2-3 by Aloysius Yapp[11]. In October 2025, he rejoined Team Asia for the second edition of the Reyes Cup, contributing to the team’s dominant 11–3 victory over Team Rest of World[12].
In Vietnam domestically tournaments, Dương Quốc Hoàng demonstrated consistent dominance throughout the year. He started the season by winning the Predator Challenge of Champions in January.[13] In December, he won the HBSF MIN Table Championship[14] and the Poison Eight-ball Championship.[15]
Dương Quốc Hoàng owns Hoang Sao Special Billiards Club – a billiards hall under his name.[16]
