Reverse Sweep

In 2022, the Billiard Sports Council of Hong Kong China hosted the “2022 Hong Kong Masters.” Behind the thunderous applause of the massive crowd, the event mirrored the turbulent highs and lows of local sports development. As the old proverb goes, “Winter is born at the height of summer; sorrow follows at the peak of joy.” With billiard sports facing the threat of losing its elite A status in recent years, Hong Kong billiard athletes had to confront a suffocating uncertainty regarding their future, navigating a psychological crossroads filled with doubt and struggle.

There is a Japanese wisdom known as Iku-motsu (the art of nurturing): if you wish to achieve a goal, you must care for your tools as if watering a seedling, share your knowledge with others, and support your fellow travelers. This practice of “mindfulness” defines the quiet perseverance of Hong Kong billiard athletes competing on the international stage. Rather than fixating on uncontrollable factors, they choose to view every setback as an opportunity to come back stronger.

Nothing good lasts forever; yet, each crisis comes along with opportunities. The Roman philosopher Seneca once said, “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” When old frameworks or past glories reach a conclusion, it does not mean a sudden halt. Instead, it is the environment forcing us to find new ways to endure within that ending.

On the billiard table, the end of every frame marks the beginning of another. What an athlete truly needs to focus on is not regretting a lost position, but how to reset and strategize after a frame has ended, seeking the next opportunity to strike. This is not only the professional duty of an athlete — it is their response to the unknown future.

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The Unsung Masters: • 《大宗師》－The Unsung Masters