Story by Charlie Williams. Photos by Eli Ceballos & Charles Eames
New York City, NY – In a re-match of 2013, the two best players this year are UK’s Darren Appleton and Germany’s Thorsten Hohmann. Appleton has gone undefeated once more making it a 20 match winning streak from last year. Hohmann had one loss in the round robin but has stormed back with huge runs over big names at the Andy Cloth 75th World Tournament of 14.1 . A who’s who of world class players were in attendance to etch their name into history’s elite of the father of all pool games. Darren Appleton, Thorsten Hohmann, Stephan Cohen, Shane Van Boening, Johnny Archer, Earl Strickland, Mika Immonen, Tony Robles and many, many more have participated all week. The main event took place once more in New York City. Dragon Promotions is pleased to keep the oldest billiard event in the world alive with the 75th production on July 13th-19th, 2015. As usual, a star studded field is expected this year at Steinway Billiards Cafe, who is once more hosting this world class event. The World Tournament Official Equipment include Viking Cue with all matches played on Andy Cloth. Event partners include Mr.Tom Gleich, Dr. Gregory Diehl, Mr. Greg Hunt of Amsterdam Billiards, & Mr. Jim Gottier of Greenleaf’s Pool Room. Patron sponsors include Mr. Harold Siegel of Excelsior Graphics, Dr. James Heller, Mr. Charles Eames of Charles Eames Photography, Frank Scharbach of Frank’s Billard Cafe, Focused Apparel and the National Amateur Pool League.
The World Tournament will be live streamed on AZBTV , order by going to www.worldstraightpool.com. Official media partners are www.NYCGrind.com , Pool & Billiard Magazine, & tech support by Gotham City Technologies.
Complete group schedule at www.worldstraightpool.com for all matches. Tickets to watch live in person sold on site.
In the first semi-finals, Appleton finally felt some pressure when he was not able to convert any big runs during the match such as he had done against Immonen the night before. Fortunately, Kiamco also struggled. This created a very lengthy match which resulted in a slug fest which saw Appleton succeed by willpower once more in a 200-116 win.
In the next semi-finals, Reiner Wirsbitzki had the daunting task of attempting to unseat fellow German Hohmann in his best game. Hohmann had crushed Orcullo and Strickland by a total of 400 balls to 107, with a 100 plus run in each match. Though Reiner jumped to a slight lead early on, Hohmann wasted no time in another 100 ball run and eventually closed out the match in 3 innings for a 200-80 wallop.
Appleton has now made it to three consecutive finals of the World 14.1, a feat no one has done this millennium and several decades. Hohmann has made this an unprecedented 4th trip to the finals.
No player has won consecutive World 14.1 titles since the early 1980’s by Steve Mizerak. Appleton has the chance to be the first ever non-American repeat champion. And he has not lost a match in the event since the 2013 finals lost to Hohmann.
On the other hand, Hohmann has never been beaten in the finals of the World 14.1.
One way or another, history will be broken today.
Watch the FINALS today July 19th Day 7 1:00pm. Race to 300 points. Livestream at worldstraightpool.com
Each of the three players will have to play 6 matches each in the first stage of the championship. If they qualify in their respective groups, they advance to a double elimination knockout stage. If they advance again, they qualify for the final stage of 16 players in a single knockout stage, but with longer match races. The finals will be a race to 300 balls made first, which could take as long as 6 hours.
In addition to the World Tournament will be the 5th Annual Straight Pool Hall of Fame. A gourmet banquet dinner along with speeches from celebrity guests will take place July 15th at 8pm at Steinway Billiards. A special video presentation of each inductee will be produced and presented by www.NYCGrind.com‚s Jerry Tarantola.
The HOF Live Streamed for FREE at www.Ustream.tv/channel/azbtv
Support straight pool and the 14.1 Hall of Fame by joining the World 141 Club & for a very inexpensive sponsorship, become one of the 141 special people joining the 141 Club which will fund this year’s events. The list of benefits & gifts are huge. Goto http://worldstraightpool.com/tickets.html. Tickets will be sold at the door during the event. Sponsors and private contributors can still join this year’s event. Final added money and fundraising for the 5th Annual Straight Pool Hall of Fame are still being generated. To help be a part of this treasured event, please contact Dragon Promotions and join the World 141 Club.
Get the latest news and complete results of all years at www.worldstraightpool.com and daily year round updates on www.facebook.com/Worldstraightpool. Follow Dragon Promotions news at www.twitter.com/Dragonpromoter
Vendor spaces are also available, for more information on player registration, sponsorship, or if you would like to submit a comment, please email worldstraightpoolchampionships@gmail.com or contact Dragon Promotions at 1-407-782-4978. Full event info is at www.dragonpromotions.com
For interest in marketing and branding your company, business, or events please contact Orlando Synergy at 1-407-782-4978 or email support@dragonpromotions.com
