Women's snooker world champion Bai Yulu enjoyed a winning debut at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, on the first game day of billiards.

Seven billiards tables were lined up in a row in the stadium, with games of three disciplines started simultaneously, including Carom (3 Cushion), Pool (10-Ball & Heyball), and Snooker (6-Reds & 15-Reds).

Bai Yulu competes during the women's six-red snooker preliminary round match between Bai Yulu of China and Fong Mei Mei of China's Hong Kong of Billiards event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Du Zixuan)

Bai faced Fong Meimei of Hong Kong, China in the first round of the women's 6-reds group stage. Bai turned the tide after a slow start, losing the first frame, but then winning the next two to claim victory.

"If it were a 15-reds game, I think I would have had a bigger advantage. But with six red balls, every player needs to be more precise, because the uncertainty increases," Bai explained.

The local favorite also demonstrated her pin collections on her registration card, saying: "This is my first time participating in such a comprehensive sports event, and it's been really fun. It's interesting to see everyone willing to exchange pins with me, and the atmosphere has been great."

"This pin for the World Games is really special, designed in the shape of a torch with a serial number, which makes it unique," she said while showing off her collection.

China's Xiao Guodong, the Wuhan Open winner who decided to represent his country in the World Games instead of participating in the high-prize Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, also secured a winning start by beating Iran's Ali Gharahgozlou in the morningt.

Germany's Joshua Feller, the men's pool champion at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, USA, competed in the 10-ball event on the day and won his first game despite a tense start.

"I felt quite nervous because I won the last World Games, which puts more pressure on me. Obviously, you don't want to lose in a special event held once every four years," Feller said.

The billiards events at the Chengdu World Games run until August 14, with multiple gold medals to be decided on August 13 and 14.