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2000 WPA WORLD
9-BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS |
| PRESS RELEASE - Final Day, October 7
The final day of the first ever WPA World 9-Ball Championships for Seniors featured only the two semifinals and the final match. As expected both of the semifinals became very tight matches, and of course the main question was if the one remaining Asian athlete, Sui Lo from Taiwan, would be able to stand up against the three Europeans, and first and foremost the reigning European Champion, Sten Jarledal, from Sweden. With exception for the walk-over from in the first round due to him being seeded into the event, Sten had so far played and beaten only Chinese players, and among them one of the top favorites to win this tournament, I-Teh Sun - would he be able to upset yet another one and by that make the final into a pure European affair? To begin with it certainly did look like this was going to be the case, since Sten managed to decide the first four racks in his favor. However, anyone that is familiar with the quality of play that the Taiwanese athletes are displaying again and again, also knows that no match is ever over until the last ball has been pocketed. Sui won the fifth rack, Sten the sixth and then the next five racks went in favor of the Chinese, now for the first time in the lead with 5 - 6. Both athletes the took turns up to 8 - 8, and it was in the following frame that the match was going to be decided. After a successful break from Sui Lo, he was forced to play a safety off the 3-ball, and Sten in turn managed to hit properly, but unfortunately not to completely cause another safe position. Sui Lo tried to bank the 3-ball into the side, missed slightly, but instead got off with a dead safe. Following a foul from Sten Jarledal, the Chinese never allowed the Swede back to the table again. Sui Lo took the lead at 8 - 9 and then cleaned off the two following racks to become the first one qualified for the final. Also the second match, the one between the two Germans Ralf Waschkewitz and Gunter Geisen, would become a tight and narrow fight. Based upon the previous results in this event, Gunter would be the slight favorite, but Ralf with 5 European Senior titles from in the past, of course a worthy opponent. Gunter started best and was ahead 3 - 0 and also a little further down with 8 - 6. However, Ralf always managed to come back into the match and in fact it went all the way for a hill-hill situation. If there is one thing that Ralf Waschkewitz has become known for, it is his ability to both fight his way back into matches in which he may be far behind, but also to win the matches in which the margin is the smallest possible. True to his reputation he was again the one to pocket the final "9", a ball that would bring him a shot at the gold medal. No matter what positive thoughts or special tactics that Ralf Waschkewitz possibly was allowing to go through his mind during the few minutes of preparation leading into the final, the Chinese Sui Lo was going to prove himself simply being too strong. Ralf did score only 1 point during the first nine frames, and even though 1 - 8 became 5 - 9, nothing were to keep the Asian athlete from grabbing the first World Championship title. Sui Lo, who was the only athlete not lose one single match throughout the event, comfortably won 5 - 11. The National Federation of Billiards Sports of Russia (NFBSR) as well as the European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF) can look back upon a successful event, where the only negative aspect was that only the Europeans and the Asians were represented. However, skill was not missing and all of the very experienced athletes for sure managed to entertain the Russian spectators. As always none of this would have been possible without the help and support of sponsors, and all of the companies that supplied with both equipment and financial commitments towards this historic event, are known for lending a helping hand: Cuetec Cues through Joba Leisure in the Netherlands, Dynamic Billiards from Germany and Simonis from Belgium. It remains to be seen where the next World Championship for Seniors will be hosted, and also if during the second time around the in Moscow missing players from Africa, America and Oceania will join. |
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