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Austria’s Lechner, Finland’s Siekkinen and Spain’s Ruiz lead the pack at 14.1 Championships
Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz (Erwin Dionisio)
Three of the 2019 American 14:1 Straight Pool Championships’ competitors made it through the event’s three-day Round Robin phase (Oct. 22-24) with undefeated (6-0) records. They were arguably not the names you might have expected from this particular field of 42 entrants, which included six former winners of the championship title – Mika Immonen (2007), Johnny Archer (2011), John Schmidt (2012), Thorsten Hohmann (2013), Darren Appleton (’14 & ’15), and Neils Feijen (2016). Two-time runner up Danny Barouty (to Ed Hodan in 2006 and Bob Maidhof in 2008) was competing, as were runner-ups Shaun Wilkie (to Danny Harriman in 2010), John Schmidt (to Archer, 2011), Archer (to Hohmann, 2013), Hohmann (to Schmidt in 2012, Darren Appleton in 2015 & Klenti Kaci in 2018), Immonen (to Feijen in 2016) and Dennis Orcollo (to Konrad Juszczyszyn in 2017).
Instead, Austria’s Max Lechner, Finland’s Jan Siekkinen and Spain’s Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz went undefeated through the Round Robin phase of the event and were awarded a bye in the 24-entrant single elimination phase which began today (Friday) and will continue through tomorrow (Saturday) at Q Master Billiards in Virginia Beach, VA. Lechner was paired in his seven-entrant round robin flight and won his six race-to-125 matches by an average of 102 balls. He gave up, in order, one to David Alcaide, 66 to Marc Vidal, 24 to Tom Walter, seven to Blair Levandowski and 41 to Don Polo.
Siekkinen competed in what was arguably the event’s toughest group of seven and went through Thorsten Hohmann (43), Johnny Archer (81), Lee Van Corteza (59), Sean Morgan (21), Neil Gold (65) and Pascal Dufresne (44); an average of 52. Ruiz got by John Schmidt (66), Petri Makkonen (25), Bob Hunter (55), Mike Badsteubner (27), Reymart Lim (72) and Michael Frank (-1); average of 40.
The remaining five competitors to receive opening round byes into single elimination were all 5-1 in the round robin competition. Ruslan Chinakhov lost his opening round match to Neils Feijen, one of two matches that Feijen won by shutout, 125-0 (the other was against Bob Madenjian). Chinakhov went on to down Albin Ouschan, Ralph Eckert and deliver a second shutout to Madenjian, before defeating Holden Chin and Darren Frank. Dennis Orcollo lost his opening match to Darren Appleton in one of the round robin’s closest games, 125-116. Orcollo went on to meet and defeat Maksim Dudanets, Marco Teutscher, Danny Barouty, Earl Herring and Steve Matthieu.
Feijen was the only member of this year’s European Mosconi Cup team who competed in this event, and while he did chalk up two shutout victories, he did lose his opening match to Albin Ouschan 125-44. In addition to the shutouts, he defeated Ralph Eckert, Holden Chin and D. Frank. The sport’s acknowledged comedian, Alex Pagulayan opened the round robin proceedings against Mika Immonen, and together, they produced the round robin’s official closest game, won by The Lion 125-119. Pagulayan went on to defeat Max Eberle before losing his one match to Shaun Wilkie in another close match 125-104. He finished with victories over Michael Yednak, Steve Lillis and Jay McWorter.
As noted above, Immonen’s path to his 5-1 round robin record began with a defeat by Pagulayan. The Iceman would go on to down Eberle, Wilkie, Yednak, Lillis and McWorter.
Friday morning competition in the single elimination phase saw eight matches scheduled. Five of the 16 competitors had also logged 5-1 records in the round robin phase; tie breakers were head-to-head results and beyond that, total ball counts. John Schmidt was scheduled to face Maksim Dudanets, who finished the round robin phase with a 3-3 record. The marquee match was likely to be Albin Ouschan (5-1) against Johnny Archer (4-2), who closed out Thursday evening’s matches with a necessary win of Sean Morgan that gave him the record he needed to advance.
The Darren Appleton (5-1) and Shaun Wilkie (4-2) combination was garnering interest and was selected as the Billiard Sports Network’s Friday morning choice for live broadcast. Ralf Souquet, competing in the round robin flight with the 6-0 Lechner, advanced with his 5-1 match record to face Reymart Lim (3-3). Marco Teutscher (5-1) was scheduled to face Ralph Eckert (3-3).
Remaining matches pitted Lee Van Corteza against Petri Makkonen, Thorsten Hohmann versus Marc Vidal, and David Alcaide squaring off against Max Eberle.
Turning Stone Classic XXVI – Earl Herring vs Charley LaMarche
Sossei undefeated for Sharpshooters Joss Tour Win
Ron Casanzio, Julie Berlin (owner), Jeremy Sossei and Mike Zuglan
Jeremy Sossei displayed his top form again, with yet another Joss NE 9-Ball Tour win at Sharpshooters Billiards & Sports Pub in Amsterdam, NY on February 20-21.
Sossei took the winners side hot-seat, with a 9-6 win over Earl Herring.
Herring moved to the one loss side, with intentions to earn a rematch with Sossei in the finals. Those intentions would be derailed by Ron Casanzio. Casanzio had lost to Bucky Souvanthong in his first match of the weekend, but put together a nine match winning streak (including a 9-4 win over Herring) to earn his place in the finals.
The final match looked to be going to a second set, with Casanzio holding a 6-3 lead in the first set. Five games later, the score was tied at 7-7 and Sossei kept on that hot-seat, winning the next two games for the 9-7 win.
In Sunday's second chance tournament, Bruce Carroll went undefeated with back to back wins over James Garrett in the hot-seat match and again in the finals.
Joe Giuliani was the weekend's winner of the $1,700 custom engraved Joss Cue.
The Joss NE 9-Ball Tour will be back in action on March 5th and 6th for the N.E. Pool and Billiard Hall of Fame 9-Ball Open at Snookers in Providence, RI.
Mike Zuglan is already taking sign-ups for the Turning Stone Classic XXVI on August 25th – 28th. This will be a Mosconi Cup point event and the field will be limited to 128 players.
ANDY Cloth 74th World Tournament of 14.1 Begins
Thorsten Hohmann
It's started. The world's oldest, longest running pool tournament has begun with this morning's matches featuring an all star lineup!
The ANDY CLOTH 74th World Tournament is taking place on August 4th-9th, 2014. Dragon Promotions and Dr. Michael Fedak are pleased to bring the 74th production of the oldest billiard event in the world . Also sponsored by Andy Cloth, Kamui Brands, OB Cues, Amsterdam Billiard Club, Realrealcool.com, Pool & Billiard Magazine , Aramith Balls, and George Beckman Kinetic Sculptures. Official patron 14.1 aficionados are Stu Mattana, Tom Gleich, Harold Siegel, and Dr. Greg Diehl Plastic Surgery. A star studded field has made it back once again to the 14.1 extravaganza taking place at Steinway Billiards Cafe, who is once more hosting the world's greatest straight pool championship.
Watch online Pay Per View at www.worldstraightpool.com and order tickets for the 14.1 Hall of Fame Banquet.
Group 1
Thorsten Hohmann GER
Jeanette Lee USA
Jeremy Sossei USA
James Heller USA
Charles Eames USA
Eddie Kwok USA Q
Group 2
Darren Appleton ENG
Mike Davis USA
Jonni Fulcher SCO
Shaun Wilkie USA
Tom Karabotsos USA Q
Dan Christian USA Q
Group 3
John Schmidt USA
Evgeny Stalev RUS
Justin Bergman USA
Frank Scharbach GER Q
Joey Landi USA Q
Group 4
Stephan Cohen FRA
Earl Strickland USA
Charlie Williams USA
Tony Robles USA
Michael Yednak USA
Bob Madenjian USA Q
Group 5
Mika Immonen FIN
Corey Deuel USA
Zion Zvi ISR
Earl Herring USA
Jeff Crawford USA Q
Kevin Clark USA
Group 6
Van Boening USA
Jayson Shaw SCO
Max Eberle USA
Tom Gleich USA
Sean Morgan USA
Group 7
Dennis Hatch USA
Johnny Archer USA
Andre Lackner GER Q
Mike Dechaine USA
David Daya USA
Dennis Spears USA Q
Group 8
Warren Kiamco PHL
Ralph Eckert GER
Danny Barouty USA
Hunter Lombardo USA Q
Jonathan Smith USA Q
Ed Culhane USA
Shaw Runs First 100: Mika Runs 100! Schmidt Takes a Loss! ANDY Cloth 74th World Tournament of 14.1 Day 1
Mika Immonen
Action and drama has already begun on Day 1 of pool's oldest championship. Two hundred ball runs were recorded already along with several near 100 ball runs.
The ANDY CLOTH 74th World Tournament is taking place on August 4th-9th, 2014. Dragon Promotions and Dr. Michael Fedak are pleased to bring the 74th production of the oldest billiard event in the world . Also sponsored by Andy Cloth, Kamui Brands, OB Cues, Amsterdam Billiard Club, Realrealcool.com, Pool & Billiard Magazine , Aramith Balls, and George Beckman Kinetic Sculptures. Official patron 14.1 aficionados are Stu Mattana, Tom Gleich, Harold Siegel, Dr. Greg Diehl Plastic Surgery, and Official World 14.1 photographer Charles Eames. A star studded field has made it back once again to the 14.1 extravaganza taking place at Steinway Billiards Cafe, who is once more hosting the world's greatest straight pool championship.
Scotland's Jayson Shaw came out the gate firing with a 100 ball clearance in his first match against North Carolina's Tom Gleich.
Shaw is looking to improve on his 5th place debut last year.
"It was beautiful to watch", commented Gleich on the perfect run.
Throwback pro Earl Herring gave new BCA Hall of Famer Mika Immonen a fit with a 100-28 crushing of the former finalist. Herring also is remembered to have given Hohmann his only loss last year en route to his eventual victory.
Immonen however did come right back and schooled Israel's Zion Zvi with a 100 ball run of his own on the TV match.
Another surprise came at the hands of pro newbie Justin Bergman who easily defeated former World 14.1 champ John Schmidt 100- 15. "I'm really enjoying myself at the World Tournament. It's my first time in New York City", said Bergman, one of the Mosconi USA hopefuls.
Hohmann won his match with a 98 ball run over Charles Eames while Mike Dechaine blanked Dennis Hatch 100-0 with a 97 ball run on the TV table.
Watch online Pay Per View at www.worldstraightpool.com and order tickets for the 14.1 Hall of Fame Banquet.
Group 1
Thorsten Hohmann GER
Jeanette Lee USA
Jeremy Sossei USA
James Heller USA
Charles Eames USA
Eddie Kwok USA Q
Group 2
Darren Appleton ENG
Mike Davis USA
Jonni Fulcher SCO
Shaun Wilkie USA
Tom Karabotsos USA Q
Dan Christian USA Q
Group 3
John Schmidt USA
Evgeny Stalev RUS
Justin Bergman USA
Frank Scharbach GER Q
Joey Landi USA Q
Group 4
Stephan Cohen FRA
Earl Strickland USA
Charlie Williams USA
Tony Robles USA
Michael Yednak USA
Bob Madenjian USA Q
Group 5
Mika Immonen FIN
Corey Deuel USA
Zion Zvi ISR
Earl Herring USA
Jeff Crawford USA Q
Kevin Clark USA
Group 6
Van Boening USA
Jayson Shaw SCO
Max Eberle USA
Tom Gleich USA
Sean Morgan USA
Group 7
Dennis Hatch USA
Johnny Archer USA
Andre Lackner GER Q
Mike Dechaine USA
David Daya USA
Dennis Spears USA Q
Group 8
Warren Kiamco PHL
Ralph Eckert GER
Danny Barouty USA
Hunter Lombardo USA Q
Jonathan Smith USA Q
Ed Culhane USA
Thorsten Three Times: Hohmann Wins Olhausen World Tournament 14.1
Thorsten Hohmann (Photo courtesy of Charles Eames)
New York, New York – Germany is back on top of straight pool with Thorsten Hohmann claiming the crown of World Tournament champion once more. The Fulda native defeated England's Darren Appleton to claim the title a record three times.
The finals started with Hohmann taking first blood with a 42 ball run. Appleton came back and tied the match. Both players had blowout leads in their previous semi-finals matches, but it could be seen early on the mental fatigue was setting in.
Hohmann would take the lead back at 134 to 52 before missing an open shot. Appleton made a nice 50 ball run but was stuck later and tried a difficult combination involving 3 balls. He missed the shot leaving himself at 115 balls. Amazingly Hohmann ran only 3 balls before committing a shocking foul when he double hit the cueball to the gasp of the audience. Appleton put together a short run before relinquishing the table back to Hohmann with both players needing under 70 balls for the championship.
Hohmann could only muster another rack and a half though before he scratched on his break shot off the stack and hit the side rail and crossed to the other side pocket. However, Appleton ran till he needed 36 balls and again missed. He had the option to take an intentional foul because he forgot that Hohmann was on a foul first.
Needing 18 balls for the win, Thorsten ran to 196 and had a great break shot lined up. But after making it , he made the next ball and overran position and was stuck in the pile with only needing 2 balls at 198. He studied the table for awhile, and eyed a 1-ball for some time. It looked as if Appleton may have one more chance, but Hohmann made the 1-ball and the next shot to complete his journey to the title once more. Hohmann had only 1 loss in the event during the round robin to Earl Herring, and had made a total of 1650 balls.
"I'm so happy right now to win this again. It's been an incredible two weeks and playing 14.1. It's my first time to win in the capitol of straight pool, New York City which has the greatest 14.1 fans in the world", said an elated Hohmann.
"I'm a little sick now from losing especially after my strong performances earlier. But Thorsten is a great champion and winning this three times is an incredible achievement. But second sucks!", said Appleton to the laughter of the audience in the after finals speech.
Archer, Strickland, Robles All in Danger at World Tournament of 14.1
Tony Robles is on the edge.
New York, New York – Several top names face elimination today as they must claw their way out of the round robin stage. 4x World Champion Johnny Archer, 5x US Open Champ Earl Strickland, and local NYC pro Tony Robles are amongst the endangered. This year's World Tournament of 14.1 has all 48 players battling in the round robin stage inching closer to the oldest title in the world. Dragon Promotions and Dr. Michael Fedak have brought another globally star studded field at this year's 73rd Olhausen World Tournament hosted by Steinway Billiards in New York on August 19th-24th,2013. Live stream broadcast will be on www.insidepool.tv
Archer has never failed to make it out of the round robin at The World Tournament, but he currently has 1 win and 3 losses. He must win today and then hope others in his group falter to give him a pass to the next round. Strickland has a better record than Archer in his group, but his earlier low scores may cost him a shot at the title.
Other notable names that will face do or die today are Robb Saez, Tony Robles, Earl Herring Ralph Eckert.
Players that look good to go through but another win would help secure are John Schmidt (3 wins and 1 loss), Francisco Bustamante ( 3 wins and 1 loss). Oliver Ortmann needs to win one of his two remaining matches to proceed. Players such as USA's Shane Van Boening and Charlie Williams have the luxury of knowing they are through and they face off today for the right to be ranked #1 in their group and receive a bye the next round. England's Darren Appleton and Scotland's Jonni Fulcher and Jayson Shaw are also guarantees. Dennis Hatch looks prime to take the overall #1 spot into the next round with undefeated record and has held his opponents to the least amount of balls scored against him.
Today's marquee TV table lineup includes:
Matches on TV stream today:
1130am Ortmann GER v Spears USA
1pm Strickland USA vs Cohen FRA
230pm Van Boening vs Williams
7pm Group Picture of 2013 World Tournament Players & 14.1 Hall of Fame Banquet starts!
Matches continue today and the round robin completes on Wednesday before the evening 14.1 Hall of Fame Banquet honoring Oliver Ortmann and Gene Nagy. Tickets still on sale online www.worldstraightpool.com and at Steinway Billiards.
For frequent updates follow on www.facebook.com/
Through additional support from such sponsors such as Olhausen Tables, Championship Cloth, Aramith Balls, Amsterdam Billiards, Pool & Billiard Magazine, Master Chalk, and now FURY Cues, the absolute best pool players from around the world will arrive on the birth country of 14.1 once more to attend this prestigious event. All to vie for the coveted title of greatest straight pool player in the world.
Hohmann, Strickland, Schmidt Take Losses: Surprises on Day 1 Olhausen World Tournament 14.1
Earl Herring
New York, New York – Reigning World Tournament of 14.1 Champion John "Mr.400" Schmidt and recent Accu-Stats 14.1 Make It Happen Fan Pick Thorsten Hohmann both had surprise losses on Day 1 of the World Tournament of 14.1. House pro Earl Strickland also took two losses. The Olhausen World Tournament of 14.1 kicked off today with all 48 players battling in the round robin stage. Dragon Promotions and Dr. Michael Fedak have brought another globally star studded field at this year's Tournament hosted by Steinway Billiards in New York on August 19th-24th,2013. Live stream broadcast will be on www.insidepool.tv
Earl Strickland had an error filled match which local NYC player Michael Yednak took full advanatge in his 100 to 49 win over the 5x US Open Champion. Yednak has participated each year in the World Tournament but has yet to qualify through the group stages. He has two wins and 1 loss to Corey Deuel so this could be his year to improve. Earl then went onto play Deuel in the TV stream match where Deuel ran a 90 and finished Strickland off 100 to 15. Earl will likely have to win his next 3 matches in a row to have a good chance to qualify for the second stage of the championship.
Throwback pro from the 70's, Earl Herring took time off from his full time career as a church minister to join the World Tournament. He gave Tony Robles a tough match at one time tying at 64 to 64, but succumbed to Robles in the end after a skid. Herring had a brief lunch break, and was re-energized to take down Former World 14.1 Champion Thorsten Hohmann 100 to 58. Thorsten had a stellar show last week in a 14.1 invitational, but the amount of energy exerted could prove damaging this week as he struggled in both his matches on Day 1 of the World Tournament.
"I used to run a hundred balls or more daily as a younger man. But I still can run a hundred every once in awhile", said Herring who just celebrated his 12 year anniversary of his church.
The final upset of the day came at the expense of reigning World Tournament 14.1 champ John Schmidt who had an error filled match with Jonni Fulcher of Scotland. Both players had many opportunities but neither could seem to take advanatge. Schmidt had run 80+ out in his first match of the day, but couldn't put any runs together against Fulcher.
Matches continue today and the round robin completes on Wednesday before the evening 14.1 Hall of Fame Banquet honoring Oliver Ortmann and Gene Nagy.
For frequent updates follow on www.facebook.com/Worldstraightpool
Through additional support from such sponsors such as Olhausen Tables, Championship Cloth, Aramith Balls, Amsterdam Billiards, Pool & Billiard Magazine, Master Chalk, and now FURY Cues, the absolute best pool players from around the world will arrive on the birth country of 14.1 once more to attend this prestigious event. All to vie for the coveted title of greatest straight pool player in the world.
Schmidt Leads USA, Hohmann Leads Europe
New York, New York – Reigning World Tournament of 14.1 Champion John "Mr.400" Schmidt will be headlining the American pros at this year's World Tournament odf 14.1. Opposing his lead will be Germany's Thorsten Hohmann, who's red hot 14.1 win last week will gear him and the other Europeans. The USA contingent and Europe will clash next week in New York City. Dragon Promotions and Dr. Michael Fedak will bring another globally star studded field at this year's Olhausen World Tournament hosted by Steinway Billiards in New York on August 19th-24th,2013. Live stream broadcast will be on www.insidepool.tv
"Out of all the titles I've won, the World 14.1 Tournament has meant the most to me. I couldn't even contain the emotions when I made the final break shot last year against Efren. I'm just happy to have done it for all the American players and fans", said Schmidt. John has two runs over 400 in straight pool and dozens of 200+ ball runs. He is known on tour to be the best pure ball runner in 14.1.
"John did two things last year that changed history. First, he became the first American World Tournament of 14.1 Champion. Secondly, he proved to the world that the Europeans could be beaten. And the first time in this decade, he prevented a European from entering the finals. Then he defeats Efren Reyes!", explained Charlie Williams, executive producer of the event. Schmidt defeated Thorsten Hohmann in the quarter-finals last year and Germany's Ralf Eckert in the semi-finals. He then defeated Hohmann again a few weeks later in the finals of the Maryland 14.1, proving his wins were not a fluke.
America will have plenty of backup with heavy hitters such as Johnny Archer (former Bronze Medalist), Mike Davis (former Silver Medalist), Charlie Williams (Bronze Medalist), Max Eberle (Bronze Medalist), Dennis Hatch, Corey Deuel, Shaun Wilkie, and Earl Strickland. Straight pool specialists such as Danny Barouty, Tony Robles, and throwback players Earl Herring and Tom Walters. Newcomers Shane Van Boening and Robb Saez will also be interesting to watch.
However, the work will be cut out for the Americans. 2x World 14.1 Champion Thorsten Hohmann is in top form with multiple 100+ ball runs coming into this year's event from his recent win. 2x World Champion Oliver Ortmann of Germany will be right behind him as well as Finland's Mika Immonen who has twice finished with a Silver in this event. France's Stephan Cohen will return (2009 World 14.1 Gold) , and Germany's Ralph Eckert (2012 Bronze). Scotland's Jonni Fulcher has finished high in the event previously and newcomer Jayson Shaw's eagle eye shotmaking will be fun to watch. Qualifier winner from Ireland'sGary O'Callaghan will return for his second year, and England's Darren Appleton (2012 Bronze) has already stated he feels he could have won the Gold last year if he wasn't
stopped by Reyes.
stopped by Reyes.
Through additional support from such sponsors such as Olhausen Tables, Championship Cloth, Aramith Balls, Amsterdam Billiards, Pool & Billiard Magazine, Master Chalk, and now FURY Cues, the absolute best pool players from around the world will arrive on the birth country of 14.1 once more to attend this prestigious event. All to vie for the coveted title of greatest straight pool player in the world.
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