SINGAPORE — Having become the first Singaporean to win the World Under-19 Pool Championship, Aloysius Yapp would have reason to turn up in a black T-shirt with the phrase “one of a kind” emblazoned across it.

However, while he will not be the first to win a SEA Games gold medal, the 18-year-old does not see why he cannot be the next.

Cuesports Singapore will be taking part in nine of the 10 events in the Games and its aim is to win at least four gold medals.

Yapp, who will take part in the nine-ball singles and doubles, is keen to help fulfil that target and show that Singapore’s cuesports team is not only about three-time SEA Games and world champion Peter Gilchrist.

“I think I am able to reach his level. Although we play in a different category, I believe I can do it as I have had full-time training and overseas experience,” the teenager told TODAY.

Yapp’s victory at last year’s World Under-19 Championships in Shanghai, where he beat Taiwan’s Hsu Jui-an 11-10 in the final, catapulted him to prominence.

However, the result was no fluke. Yapp, who put his studies at St Patrick’s School on hold four years ago to focus on his pool career, had pulled off a shock win in 2012 over Filipino great Efren Reyes — a winner of more than 70 international titles and a multiple world champion.

The teenager then went on to defeat two-time world nine-ball champion Johnny Archer of the United States in 2014.

Last month, Yapp finished 16th among 217 participants at the Eurotour Nine-ball Championships in Portugal, which landed him €1,000 (S$1,480) in prize money.

Next month, the teenager, who is 52nd in the world rankings, will embark on his quest for his maiden SEA Games title when the cuesports competition starts at the OCBC Arena on June 6.

“I am going for gold. My toughest opponent is Filipino Carlo Biado, but I have beaten him before and that’s the reason I am confident,” said the three-time National Open champion, whose win in Shanghai last year also earned him a place in September’s World Championships.

“To reach this level, I gave up my personal time and social life. I don’t have much time to go to the movies or enjoy things out there as I’m playing cuesports every day. That’s why I hope to do my best at the SEA Games.”

Cuesports Singapore vice-president Ivan Lim has named Yapp as one to watch among the Republic’s 748-strong SEA Games contingent.

“He is young and fearless, and is going to walk into the SEA Games full of confidence. Aloysius has the killer instinct. It doesn’t matter who he plays against. It could be a world champion or a beginner, but when he closes down the shots, he goes for the kill.”

Besides Biardo, Yapp will have to keep tabs on defending SEA Games champion Ricky Yang of Indonesia as well as the likes of Thailand and Myanmar.

“The Philippines are very strong as well, but pool is a game that depends on that one hour when you need to be sure you are focused and have full concentration,” said Lim.

“What matters is what happens during that hour. They are training for that.

“Of course, we are banking on Gilchrist to win the medal in billiards, Aloysius and the (other) gold medals may also come from our snooker players in doubles or singles. We cannot be complacent and are banking on home-ground advantage.”

Yapp, whose equipment and overseas trips are funded by Sports Singapore and sponsors Mak’s Family, Tong Eng Group and Amore Fitness, added: “The rise to fame feels good. It was my dream to play pool one day. I now get more recognition in the pool scene.”