“I’ll prove one day that I’ve inherited your strength and I’ll bring home that coveted gold medal that people bite on to celebrate victory,” said Robbie Capito in February on his late father’s birthday. The 22-year-old from Hong Kong wasn’t to know that three months later he would become the UK Open champion and land that elusive major accolade.

Capito potted the winning nine ball to overcome Poland’s Mieszko Fortunski in the final before springing himself onto the table to celebrate, looking to the heavens and holding back the tears. “I thought of my late father, and all the hard work that led up to the victory,” Capito says. “It was also a wonderful moment that I could proudly share with my team and family.”

Capito, a quarter-finalist at the prestigious US Open Pool Championship last year, was amongst a quartet of unusual suspects in the UK Open semi-finals. It was an extraordinary opportunity for the youngster to fulfil his destiny and become a major champion – an opportunity that he grasped with both hands and captured the $30,000 top prize.

“Heading into the UK Open I started to feel a lot more comfortable with my game, and with the right mix of training and practice matches, I felt like this could be a deep run for me in the tournament,” adds Capito.

“Obviously, it would be a lie if I told you that I had a feeling that I could win it all, but I was really happy that I kept the momentum going and played my matches and shots level-headed, and ultimately results came my way and it was really satisfying to have won the tournament.”

Despite not being bruited about pre-tournament as a potential winner, Capito was the name on everybody’s lips heading into finals day. Astonishingly, the Hongkonger had produced astounding victories in successive rounds over Fedor Gorst and Joshua Filler – who are widely-recognised as the two finest cueists on the planet currently.

Capito was calm and collected in claiming two seismic scalps, gaining four-rack leads during the early exchanges against both heavyweights before needing to fend off valiant comebacks with simple but effective safety play. He produced two performances way beyond his years and unequivocally enhanced his pedigree.

“Joshua and Fedor are both top players for sure, and those wins gave a huge confidence boost for me to go all the way and win it,” Capito expresses. “The two matches could have gone either way and it shows how competitive and cutthroat the pool scene is right now. It is also a sign that my game is getting to the top level. I don’t have to start from the back foot now, feeling like I have to play catch up every time.”

Perhaps one controversy during his pathway to a maiden major title occurred in a semi-final against Pijus Labutis. Having tapped his chair when the Derby City Classic runner-up was shooting towards him in a movement conceivably caused by nerves, Capito resolutely insists that “it certainly wasn’t a deliberate move”. He also shows graciousness towards his opponent, adding: “Pijus was an absolute gentleman with his response, but I will definitely be more aware of this happening going forward”.

For a career that was prompted from a plastic pool toy set that his mother had bought him from Toys R Us when he was three years old, Capito has evolved into one of the most auspicious talents. “A few years later my father started bringing me to the pool halls in Hong Kong, and that was basically how I began playing the game”, he adds.

Twice a runner-up at the WPA World Junior Championships in the U17 and U19 tournaments, Capito truly showcased his prodigious capabilities when battling back from 7-1 behind against Eklent Kaci on his way to the 2018 World Pool Championship last 16 as a 17-year-old. Having since boosted his mental game and learned to control his emotions, what were the key ingredients in his recipe to success?

“I have always believed in myself enough throughout the years that I can go head-to-head against the top players and put myself in the mix,” Capito says. “I’ve worked hard, been honest with myself and never given up. It sounds cliche but if you know you’re doing the right thing, just don’t stop and keep learning.”

Besides the fact that Capito’s unforeseen UK Open triumph provided a tap on the shoulder to the Hong Kong government, who are considering a significant slash in funding for players due to an Asian Games omission, his success also propelled him into the Reyes Cup conversation. A coveted place on the Asian team is something on Capito’s mind.

“I think it is hard not to think about it, especially with the fact that I am of Filipino descent,” Capito candidly admits. “I am extremely eager to be part of the inaugural Reyes Cup. Winning the UK Open has shot me up the rankings and Reyes Cup becomes an achievable goal for me. Obviously, there are still a lot of points up for grabs and all I can do is to try my very best in every outing and see where I end up on the rankings.”

Obtaining one of three automatic places on the Asian team would mean that he would share the stage alongside former world champion Carlo Biado, someone who is an ineluctable wildcard selection and has guided Capito along the righteous path. “He’s the best mentor ever,” Capito smiles. “He’s a mentor, a leader, a friend, a competitor, a legend, and most importantly a father figure to me. It would mean a lot to share the stage with him – without him I wouldn’t be here where I am today.”

Capito, now the world number 22, remains ambitious and brushes any possible complacency aside. His UK Open glory could burst open the floodgates and prove a catalyst to accomplishing further targets, such as the Reyes Cup bow that his sights are now firmly transfixed to achieving.

“This year’s main target for me will be getting into the Reyes Cup and making some more deep runs into the tournaments,” Capito reveals. “I am feeling much more confident and comfortable with my game, and I will strive to keep my good form and put Hong Kong on the map of pool. I also want to enjoy every tournament that I go into and play my own game to the fullest.”

Whatever unravels for Capito in the coming months and years, Hong Kong’s Pinoy sensation will be forever in the history books as a major champion in the World Nineball Tour era – something only a handful of players can say they have achieved so far.