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lll. Magyar Snooker Gala At the third Snooker Gala event which was held in Budapest, spectators enjoyed whaching the game between Jimmy White and Shaun Murphy. Shaun Murphy was in exquisite form as he produced three centuries in a row: 147, 120 and 147. He said afterwords that he never made two maximums at the one exibition. Jimmy White also showed his class making the game of snooker look easy to play. On this event were also presented two hungarian players: Zoltan Kojsza, multiple hungarian snooker champion and 11 years old teenage snooker prodigy Bulcsu Revesz. Knowledgeable and enthusiastic hungarian audience awarded players with the standing ovation after the both sessions Aladรกr Gerevich Sports Halls, Budapest, Hungary, May 19th, 2018.
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LITEtask to sponsor UK Women’s Championship World Ladies Billiards and Snooker (WLBS) is delighted to announce that LITEtask will once again sponsor the WLBS UK Women’s Snooker Championship this year. Specialists in the design and distribution of commercial lighting, the Leeds-based company has developed a strong association with the event since it first took over title sponsorship in 2015. The event, which will again be known as the LITEtask UK Women’s Snooker Championship, was won last year by Hong Kong’s Ng On Yee, who defeated Reanne Evans 4-1 to capture the title for a third time. Entries for the event opened earlier this week, with side-events for Under-21 and Seniors players also set to be staged subject to entries. Mandy Fisher, WLBS president said: “I am really
happy that LITEtask will sponsor what is our flagship UK event once again this season. Mark Pears [owner] has been a fantastic supporter of the women’s game for many years now and we are all pleased to be able to continue our relationship with him and LITEtask in 2018.” Mark Pears, owner of LITEtask said: “Once again we are pleased to continue our sponsorship of the LITEtask UK Women’s Snooker Championship next month. Year on year we are continuing to see the standard of play on the World Women’s Snooker Tour increase and I can only see a bright future for the women’s game both here in the UK and overseas.”
Matt Huart Media Officer for the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association Ltd
www.wpbsa.com wpbsaofficial
@wpbsaofficial
Learn more about our current partners: www.womenssnooker.com/about/partners
The tournament is named in honour of former snooker professional the late Paul Hunter who won 2004 Grand Prix, first tournament organized in the FĂźrth (photo on the left side shows Paul lifting the trophy after 4:2 victory in that final against his good friend Matthew Stevens). The tournament was won in the following years by: Mark King, Michael Holt, Barry Pinches, twice by Shaun Murphy, Judd Trump, three times by Mark Selby, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Allen and Michael White in 2017.
Just Like Pictures
Winner of this year's edition of the Paul Hunter Classic tournament is Kyren Wilson after he came back from 2:0 behind to defeat former World Champion Peter Ebdon. read more on pages 12-15
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contents 1 - 07
Ads, Info and the news
8 - 15
World Ranking tournaments
16 - 21
World Snooker Federation
22 - 25
World Ladies Billiards and Snooker
26 - 31
World Disability Billiards and Snooker
32 - 33
Interview: Daniela Reich
34 - 35
Technique: how to play the game of snooker
36 - 37
Snooker World
147 • International Snooker Magazine | © Snooker Croatia • Independent Sports & Entertainment Media Published texts and photos are property of signed authors | Free of copyrights under CCO > pxhere.com Warning: It is illegal to photocopy or reproduce any part of 147 ISM without express written consent
Snooker Stands With Kerala It was confirmed by World Snooker that this season’s Indian Open has been postponed following the flooding that has affected the southern Indian state of Kerala over the past few days.
| Shaun Murphy | chairman of the WPBSA Players Commission |
The tournament was due to be staged in the city of Kochi, situated within southwest Kerala from 18-22 September however following the ongoing disaster which has claimed the lives of over 350 people and left a further 725,000 homeless the event will now take place at a later date. Jason Ferguson, chairman of the WPBSA said “We have been so fortunate in recent times to take our sport back to its roots in ‘Incredible India.’ We have met so many incredible people and made so many great friends in ‘incredible India’, our thoughts are with the people of India at this difficult time.” “The postponement of this event is in support of the people of the Kerala and it is important that we stress that the event has been postponed – not
cancelled. Snooker stands with Kerala and we fully intend to revisit the area at the appropriate time to show our support to the people. “Among the tragic events that I have witnessed through the media during the past few days, we have also been moved by the resilience of those affected and I am looking forward to returning to the area soon. Shaun Murphy, chairman of the WPBSA Players Commission added: “On behalf of the players I would like to say that our thoughts are will all of the people who have been affected by the floods in Kerala and we are looking forward to visiting the area at a later date." | Matt Huart | World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association |
#StandWithKerala If you wish to donate to the ongoing relief efforts in the region please click here for more information.
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Riga Masters was the 1st tournament of the 2018/2019 snooker season. Qualifying round matches took place between 2nd and 5th July 2018 at the Preston Guild Hall in Preston, England. Main draw (last 64) matches was played at the Arena Riga. This was tornament fifth edition and the third as a full ranking event.
2018 Riga Masters
Neil Robertson won his 14th ranking title, his second in Riga (which he won in the 2016/2017 season as well), and this victory means that he has won at least one title in 13 consecutive years. At the tournament (including a qualifying match) Robertson has made eighth century breaks. Chris Wakelin
2
Stuart Carrington
4
Stuart Carrington
0
Neil Robertson
4
Neil Robertson
5
Ricky Walden
2
Stephen Maguire
4
Riga NEIL ROBERTSON Masters FINAL Jack Lisowski
Kyren Wilson
2
Stephen Maguire
1
Graeme Dott
0
Jack Lisowski
5
Jack Lisowski
4
5 2
Photography:
Ruedi Schneiter > www.facebook.com/ruedi.schneiter
Tournament memo > Defending champion Ryan Day played first defence match against Ali Carter which he lost in the deciding frame (4:3).
> Stuart Carrington defeats Chris Wakelin 4:2 to reach his first ranking event semi-final at the Riga Masters.
> Mark Williams won his first match of the season it was 4:2 for the World Champion against Ben Woollaston, but then he lost a 4:3 to China’s Zhang Yong, despite being one of the favourites to lift the Latvian title.
> Stephen Maguire defeats Kyren Wilson 4:2 in the quarter final, this win also guarantees that Maguire will return among the world's top 16.
> Two players from Latvia, Rodion Judin and Maris Volajs participated in the tournament. Despite first-round defeat, Maris was pleased with his performance and he thanked World Snooker for the opportunity to play at the professional tournament. > On the way to make a maximum break Liang Wenbo potted two reds in a same shot and made "only" 140 break which finished as a tournament highest break. > In his first four matches Graeme Dott was showing very good form, back to back 4:0 wins over Ashley Carty and Mark Davis lead him in to quarter final but there was Jack Lisowski who stopped him.
> In the first semi final Stuart Carrington has been whitewashed by Neil Robertson, in the other SF match Stephen Maguire did not find the winning solution and got only one frame against the Jack Lisowski. > Former World Champion Neil Robertson played in his 21st ranking event final, opposite to man in form Jack Lisowski who (finaly) reached his first ranking final. > Robertson started well, took two scrappy opening frames, then he made 117 break. Lisowski tried his best winning fourth tactical frame. But overall Jack made too many mistakes in the final and Neil knowingly punished less experienced opponent. > On the ranking list Robertson remains 10th, Lisowski on 24th place
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2018 Snooker World Open was held in the little known, even for chinese people, mountainous Yushan county in east China’s Jiangxi Province. The tournament has been staged in Yushan since 2016. Sunday (5th August) was day for the interesting opening ceremony (photography: wpbsa).
YUSHAN WORLD OPEN First day of the tournament players played first round and the held over matches in which two favourites nearly lost their games. Defending champion Ding Junhui and World Champion Mark Williams avoid a big upset in their opening matches of the tournament. Jimmy Robertson losing in the deciding ninth frame to a wildcard Chang Bingyu in their held over encounter and Liang Wenbo losing to former Pro player James Cahill. Harvey Chandler showed that he is one of debutants to watch this season, he wins decinding frame in qualifiers against Michael
White, then he beats Kurt Maflin in the decider to reach the Last 32 of the tornament. Worth to mention is that Neil Robertson already made 12 centuries in this season, can he make another "ton of tons" again like in 2013/2014 season? In third day we did lost few big names, defending champion Ding Junhui, Judd Trump, Stephen Maguire, Mark Allen, Ali Carter and Neil Robertson crashing out at the last 32 stage of the tournament. Fergal O'Brien made almost unbelievable turnaround from 4:0 down to beat Luca Brecel for the Last 16.
The 2018 Yushan World Open was the second ranking event of the 2018/2019 snooker season. Qualifying round matches (best of 9 frames) took place between 6th and 9th July 2018 at the Preston Guild Hall in Preston, England. Main draw (last 64) matches was played in China. Tournament today known as The World Open had previously been known as the Professional Players Tournament, the LG Cup and the Grand Prix, this was the tournaments 35th edition.
Fourth day of the tournament World number one Mark Selby suffered a 5:4 defeat against Thailand's Noppon Saengkham and Jack Lisowski came from 3:0 down to beat Kyren Wilson 5:4. China's Xiao Guodong overcomes Anthony Hamilton 5:3, reaching the quarterfinals along with Marco Fu who saw off Robert Milkins with the 5:2 score. Then they both losing their quarter finals matches. Marco was a one more win away to get back in to the top 16. The player who played whole tournament at a high level David Gilbert came through to his second ranking final (his first final was at 2015 International Championship) after beating Barry Hawkins in semifinal, the 6:4 victory earning him a guaranteed ÂŁ75,000 that was his biggest career payday. So David Gilbert had a chance to win his first ranking title, ÂŁ150.000 and some massive extra benefits: entering the top 16 for the first time in his careere, entrance ticket to play at "rich tournaments" as Shanghai Masters and Champion of Champions ... only he just has to beat Mark Williams first. On the other side was the reigning World Champion, the calmest player at the circuit who showed his nerves in few previous matches. "Welsh Potting Machine" who already made a few "come from behind" victory's (at the qualifiers, then against Jack Lisowski), he was also 5:2 down against Noppon Saengkham who reached the semifinal for the first time in his careere. Even Mark thought that he's gonna lose this match, he hoped that he may win two, three frames in a trot and put some pressure on opponent. Mark later on explained with his words how he won the final frame: “I found another gear and somehow manage to win, could not believe the safety shot he try to play in the decider (unlucky opening the pack of reds A/N).
Final: First session went on Gilbert's side, at the end of it he had one frame advantage. In fourth frame he made break of 142, tournament highest (tied with Saengkham's). David opened evening session winning three frames in a row to go four frames ahead. He continues to play well reaching 9:5 lead, one frame away of his first ranking title. And then started dramatic fightback. Williams said: "At 9:5 down I was almost out, but you never let opponent to see that you losing heart, and then sometimes it does turn all match around. Whatever is going on, you have to stick in It". Once again Mark was start to putting the pressure on his opponent, with his potting and safety skills, simply he did not allow David to finish the match. In fact David had one (half) clear chance to win, difficult blue ball which he missed. In the interview at the end Mark added: "I won the final probably more than he lost It". Mark J Williams has won World Open after an incredible 10:9 victory Ends
This is Williams' twenty-second ranking title, the first one that he won in Yushan, and fourth ranking title in under twelve months. He is now second on the Ranking list following Mark Selby 11
Kyren Wilson (with his son), Paul’s father Alan Hunter and Jason Ferguson, WPBSA Chairman
Interesting amateur rounds was played at the tournament, young 13-years old player from Belgia Ben Mertens and 12-year old Ukrainian Iulian Boiko both got through the amateur rounds as well as Ng On Yee, World Ladies Champion. In fact more than a third of the first round draw for this year's tournament was made up of non professional players, 47 amateurs reached main draw. Only three of Top 16 players played in Furth, Shaun Murphy lost his first match to Fergal O'Brien, defending champion Michael White reached only last 32 stage, where he was beaten 4:1 by China’s Zhang Anda. Eventual winner Kyren Wilson was the third Top 16 player. Jack Lisowski who played well at the tournament surprisingly losing in the quarter-finals from
48-years old Peter Lines who made at first world ranking semi-final in his 24th season as a professional. Another experienced player showed that he's still may play; former World Champion Peter Ebdon reached his first ranking final since the 2012 Australian Open. After a three-year wait Kyren Wilson (after several defeats in the semis and the finals last season) wins his second title, worth £20,000 and a place in this years Champion of Champions tournament (November in Coventry). Kyren Wilson said: "This tournament holds many fond memories for me, this tournament is actually the first tournament I traveled to overseas as 17, 18 years old, I’m delighted to get my name on the Paul Hunter Classic trophy”.
Two maximum breaks were compiled in the 2018 Paul Hunter Classic in Furth on friday, Michael Georgiou and Jamie Jones both made their first official maximum break. It's the 3rd time that two official 147's have been made on the same day; these were 140th and 141st ratified maximum breaks in professional competition.
Michael Georgiou
Jamie Jones
Lukas Kleckers 22 years from Essen, Germany
He plays his second season as professional, he had qualified for the World Snooker Main Tour through the Q-School last summer (May 2017). His best achievement so far is entering the last 64, twice at the Riga Masters (2017, 2018) and for the first time on this year's Paul Hunter Classic.
Simon Lichtenberg 20 years from Berlin, Germany
It's his first season on the Main Tour He qualified on the World Snooker Main Tour through victory on EBSA European Under-21 Snooker Championships in 2018 At PHC tournament he equalized his best result as professional player reaching second round as at the 2018 Gibraltar Open
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Daniel Wells, who was the first Paul Hunter Foundation Scholarship beneficiary (2007), reached the quarter-finals for the first time in his professional career.
St Helens cue man, 48 years old Wayne Brown, (upper photo) ex professional player (1994 to 2005), was so close to reach second round, he had 3:2 lead against Simon Lichtenberg, but fail to cross the winning line. Peter Lines (left) reached first world ranking semi-final in nking semi his 24th season as a professional player
Tournament photos Š Sanjin Kuťan
justlikepictures
Noppon Saengkham, 26 years old Thai player, opened his third round match with the 105 break, then made 83 for the 2:0 lead. Unfortunatly for him Peter Lines has had his day. The worst way to lose a snooker match is (probably) on respotted black in deciding frame, that's how unlucky was Jack Lisowski. The lucky one was Peter Lines.
Former World Champion (2002) Peter Ebdon was playing in his first ranking final since 2012. "The Force" played well all tournament, he won six matches (amateur Ben Jones, Ploner, King, Un-Nooh, Walker and Donaldson) and had 2:0 lead in the final, lost third frame on pink, and lost, probably crucial, scrappy fifth frame. Peter said: “Huge congratulations to Kyren Wilson for winning the Paul Hunter Classic. Great player, top man! Great event and wonderful to see the German fans again, who love Snooker so much and gave us such a wonderful reception last night. Special. Thank you!�
Ends
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on photo:
Dendrolague (tree kangaroo) They inhabit the tropical rainforests of New Guinea, far northeastern Queensland, and some of the islands in the oceania region.
Oceania Joins World Snooker Federation Jason Ferguson, WSF President said: “I am (today) pleased to be able to welcome the OBSF to the WSF family. The Oceania region has played a significant role in a long history of billiards sports. Oceania Billiards and Snooker Federations President Frank Dewens and his team work tirelessly providing a strong framework for our sport to develop and I am very excited to be able to harness this passion and commitment within our group.”
wpbsaofficial
We are delighted to welcome the Oceania Billiards and Snooker Federation (OBSF) as the latest full member of the World Snooker Federation (WSF). The WSF continues to welcome the support of national and regional bodies that share its commitment to both good governance and the expansion of amateur snooker across the globe. With its rich history in the sport, the Oceania region is a key area for strategic development over the coming years and both the WSF and OBSF are excited about the opportunities ahead. As previously announced, Oceania will be granted a place at this year’s SangSom 6-Red World Championship in Thailand, with a qualifying tournament to be staged in July. This is just the beginning as WSF align the interests of Oceania’s many players with the World Snooker Tour.
Oceania Billiards and Snooker Federation official web site > obsf.info
@wpbsaofficial
website > www.wpbsa.com
Matt Huart | Media Officer for the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association Ltd
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www.africabsf.com African Billiards and Snooker Confederation (ABSC)
wpbsaofficial
@wpbsaofficial
website > www.wpbsa.com
Matt Huart | Media Officer for the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association Ltd
Joins World Snooker Federation We are pleased to announce that the African Billiards and Snooker Confederation (ABSC) has become the latest regional body to become a full member of the World Snooker Federation (WSF). The agreement follows positive discussions between both organisations in recent months during which it has become clear that the interests of the WSF and ABSC are aligned for the ongoing development of snooker both regionally and globally. The WSF is hugely excited by the potential of the Africas region as part of snooker’s worldwide development and is committed to supporting the activities of the ABSC to grow the sport and to provide opportunities to African players to compete at the highest level.
worked hard for many years in leading our sport in the region, including the organisation of the AllAfrican Championships and more recently by creating a landmark opportunity to develop snooker further in the region through inclusion in the All-African Games. “This is a vast region with many players and huge potential to play a key role in our ongoing development work for snooker globally. Already we are pleased to have provided a pathway for African players to the World Snooker Tour and I am optimistic that with the commitment shown by Mohammed and his team, we will see even more talented players from Africa competing at the highest level.”
It was recently announced that this year’s African national champion Mohamed Ibrahim of Egypt has been awarded a main tour place for the next two seasons. His countryman and reigning African 6-Red champion Mohamed Khairy will also take his place at September’s SangSom 6-Red World Championship as an international qualifier.
Mohammed Kammah, ABSC president said: “The ABSC cares about the players, referees and promoting the sport in Africa. The amateur circuit is the blood veins of the professional circuit and both bodies have to work together for the welfare of the sport. It is every player’s dream to play in the professional tournaments and we are keeping that dream with the respect and good cooperation between the ABSC and the WPBSA Group.
Jason Ferguson, WSF President said: “I am honoured to be able to work with Mohammed Kammah and his team at the ABSC. He has
“We are very pleased with the support we are getting from the WPBSA Group and I am sure that together we will achieve a great future for Africa.”
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World Snooker Federation Welcomes
Pan American Development
The World Snooker Federation (WSF) is pleased to announce the Pan American Snooker and Billiards Association (PABSA), a new continental federation which has become a full member of the WSF.
www.pabsa.org
PABSA brings together key stakeholders like the USA, Canada, Brazil and more creating a new platform to develop new opportunities through the WSF’s mission to create a seamless structure for snooker's global development from amateur to professional. Snooker has a rich history in the Americas region, from the achievements of Cliff Thorburn who became our first-ever world champion from outside of the UK back in 1980 to the amazing 13-year-old Nicolly Christo of Brazil who impressed many at this year’s WSF Championships as a potential star of the future. The upcoming season will already see new American activity with World Seniors Snooker Tour qualifying events being staged in both Canada and the USA. Jason Ferguson, WSF president said “WSF Continental and National Federations now span most of the world and we look forward to supporting the needs of our members, their players and officials. We are excited to work with people and organisations who clearly share our passion for billiards sports. “Throughout the 1980s professional snooker saw sporting greats from the Americas region, our global work continues to demonstrate that there are hidden talents in all parts of the world. “Our job as a global federation is to reach out and ensure the opportunities are there for these talents. There is great potential in this part of the world and I would like to congratulate Ajeya Prabhakar of the United States Snooker Association on making this federation a reality. It is with open arms that welcome PABSA to our family.” Ajeya Prabhakar, USSA president said: “I am extremely thankful to Felipe Martins and Pedro Rolim from Brazil and John White, Randall Morrison and Steve Cooper from Canada for sharing the vision in our region and working hard towards our convergence into PABSA along with other countries. “I would also like to thank Jason Ferguson who has tirelessly supported us since we first started PABSA in 2010. We have come a long way with Jason’s support and we are looking forward to working with the WSF and an exciting chapter ahead for us.” PABSA will stage the Pan American Snooker Championship in New York, USA from 1-4 February 2019.
wpbsaofficial
@wpbsaofficial
website > www.wpbsa.com
Matt Huart | Media Officer for the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association Ltd
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World Women’s Snooker is coming to Yorkshire this autumn with the staging of a special event in Leeds city centre.
Leeds To Host World Women’s Snooker Open Day Following positive discussions between World Ladies Billiards and Snooker (WLBS) and Leeds Kirkgate Markets, both parties are today pleased to jointly announce a new open day which will take place from 10:00am on Friday 14th September 2018. Aimed at promoting the World Women’s Snooker Tour and encouraging participation in snooker among women of all ages, the day will see a snooker table installed at the state of the art 10m x 10m event space at the Markets, complete with PA system, overhead projector and a stunning eight metre LED screen for use on the day. Taking place on the eve of this season’s first ranking event, the UK Women’s Championship at
the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds, we anticipate that a number of the world’s leading female snooker players including reigning world champion Ng On Yee will be in attendance to support activities. The day will also see students from up to four local schools, together with local women traders from the markets take to the baize and try snooker and receive tips from WPBSA World Snooker coach Steve Mallender and the players present on the day. Matt Huart, WLBS director said: “This is a great way to launch our new season and an exciting opportunity to engage with the people of Leeds to encourage women of all ages and levels of
www.womenssnooker.com experience to play snooker. “On behalf of WLBS I would like to thank Gary Chadwick and his team at Leeds Kirkgate Markets for their cooperation and for helping to make this event happen. We are all looking forward to the day already.” Councillor Asghar Khan, deputy executive member with responsibility for markets said: “We are very excited to welcome some of the world’s greatest female snooker players to our very own Leeds Kirkgate Market, as part of a special event set to be held this September. “Not only is this a brilliant opportunity to see in person the tremendous skills of players including
reigning world champion Ng On Yee, it’s also a chance to learn from the experts and for people new to snooker to have a game in a fun environment. “Throughout the year we hold a range of fantastic events and activities which attracts families from Leeds and Yorkshire to Kirkgate Market, and this promises to be another memorable occasion.” We would encourage anybody from tour players to snooker fans in the area to come along and be involved in what should be a fantastic curtainraiser to the new season. Further information, including the full entry pack for the UK Women’s Snooker Championship will be released soon.
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Belgium to Host First European Women’s Masters World Ladies Billiards and Snooker (WLBS) is delighted to announce the first staging of the European Women’s Masters. To be held at the De Maxx club in Neerpelt, Belgium, the tournament will take place over three days from 5-7 October 2018 and feature the world’s best women players, each vying for ranking points and looking to take home the coveted title. The event will run alongside the final stages of the professional D88.com European Masters tournament won last season by Judd Trump in nearby Lommel, allowing players the opportunity to watch the world’s top professionals in action when not competing. Owned by 11-time European champion Wendy Jans, the modern De Maxx club is situated in the picturesque town of Neerpelt and boasts 10 snooker tables, each featuring its own electronic scoring system.
Diana Schuler, WLBS director said: “We are very excited to be able to announce this prestigious new event in mainland Europe this season. It remains a key objective for us to take the World Women’s Snooker Tour to new territories and we have seen in recent years how interest in snooker has grown in Belgium with Luca Brecel winning his first ranking event last season. “De Maxx provides the perfect setting for what promises to be a very competitive tournament and I would like to thank Wendy Jans and her team at the club for their support in the organisation of the event.” Wendy Jans said: “We are pleased to welcome WLBS to De Maxx for the first time this October and are looking forward to what should be a fantastic event. It will be fun to be able to compete on home soil and hopefully this will be another positive step in the development of the women’s tour.”
The European Women’s Masters will be the second event of the 2018/19 World Women’s Snooker Tour. Sponsorship opportunities are available for the event and you can contact WLBS for more information | www.womenssnooker.com |
View the latest WLBS 2018/19 events calendar | www.womenssnooker.com/events |
Matt Huart Media Officer for the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association Ltd
www.wpbsa.com wpbsaofficial
@wpbsaofficial
Australia to Host First World Women’s Ranking Event World Ladies Billiards and Snooker (WLBS) and the Australian Billiards and Snooker Council (ABSC) are delighted to jointly announce that a World Women’s Snooker Tour event will be staged in Australia for the first time ever later this year. The Australian Women’s Snooker Open will take place from 25-28 October at the Mt Pritchard District and Community Club, known as “Mounties” in the western suburbs of Sydney, Australia. The tournament will become the third event of the upcoming season and be open to women from across the globe. The event will carry full ranking status, ensuring that it will immediately become a highly sought-after title on the tour.
UK winners of the World Women’s Snooker Championship (alongside current champion Ng On Yee) following her title triumph back in 1980. In more recent years Jessica Woods has also enjoyed success both at home and abroad, recently claiming her fifth national women’s championship winning 21 of the 24 frames that she played. Mandy Fisher, WLBS President said: “It has always been an ambition of mine to see a World Women’s Snooker Tour event take place in Australia and therefore I could not be happier with today’s announcement. This is an important milestone in our history as we continue our global expansion as a body and I would like to thank both Frank Dewens and World Snooker Federation Treasurer Mike Peachey who have both contributed significantly to helping make this prestigious new event happen.”
Mounties is a community club offering full facilities such as four eateries, licensed bars, ten full-size snooker tables and much more. The tournament will be sponsored by Mounties and will carry a total prize fund of AUD$9000.00, with AUD$8000 to be won in the main event, including a top prize of AUD$3000 for the champion. A further AUD$1000 is allocated for the Challenge Cup event for players who do not qualify for the knockout rounds of the main competition.
Frank Dewens, ABSC President said: “It is indeed a great pleasure in opening up our Women’s Australian Open Snooker Championship to the world. We are looking forward to seeing the best women players in the world competing against Australia’s best.”
Australia has a strong history on the women’s tour, with Lesley McIllrath one of just two non-
Further information, including full entry details will be released in due course.
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Liam Bairstow
CORRIE STAR
by Matt Huart
Bairstow played at New Disability Snooker Event
This interview was made before the Humber Classic in Hull, tournament on which Liam Bairstow was among the players.
Liam is best known for his role as Alex Warner in ITV’s Coronation Street, after he famously became the first actor with Down's Syndrome to be cast in the world's longest running soap opera just over three years ago. Away from the studios Liam is also a keen snooker fan and first met the WDBS team last May when he visited the World Championship to watch Mark Selby take on John Higgins on final day. Having kept in touch ever since, we are now looking forward to welcoming Liam to what will be our first-ever weekend competition exclusively for players with learning disabilities. "I am really looking forward to this event,” said the Bradford-based actor. “I have been a fan of snooker since I have been watching Ronnie O’Sullivan who is my favourite. “It was amazing to visit the Crucible last year because so many people were there. It was really exciting to meet legends like Stephen Hendry and John Parrott who I remember watching play. “It was also a lot of fun as we had a challenge in the Cue Zone where if a boy beat me he would get a tour of Coronation Street and he did, so I was able to take him round the set.”
The venue for the weekend will be the Tradewell Snooker Club in Hull, home of the WDBS Hull Open for the past two years. The club is fully accessible and has received significant investment since our last visit in November 2017, making it the ideal choice for this new event.
As well as being able to pick up a cue for himself, Liam is looking forward to being able to meet new people during the event which will be held at Hull’s Tradewell Snooker Centre from 17-19 August. “I love socialising and meeting new people,” added Bairstow. “It’s so nice to be able to talk to different people and then keep in touch through social media. I love Facebook and Twitter to be able to let my friends know when I will be on TV.” Of his fellow cast members at Corrie, Liam identifies Charlie de Melo, who plays lawyer Imran Habeeb in the soap as a talented snooker player on a set which has welcomed the ‘Weatherfield Snooker Hall’ as a recent addition to the iconic street. As for his own hopes in Hull, Liam is keeping his cards close to his chest but says that it would give him ‘a very warm feeling’ if he is able to take home a medal from the event. Entries for the Humber Classic remain open with players with all disabilities welcomed to our free Friday Open Day, ahead of the two-day tournament for our Group 6 players.
Read article about the inaugural 2018 Humber Classic tournament on the next pages
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Geronimo wins Humber Classic
Peter Geronimo defeated Leroy Williams 3:1 to win the inaugural World Disability Billiards and Snooker (WDBS) Humber Classic last weekend. Held at the Tradewell Snooker Club in Hull, the event was the first full-weekend tournament staged exclusively for people with learning disabilities. Based upon the nature of their learning disability players were classified as either 6A or 6B, with 6A players receiving a points start when playing 6B players. Competing in his first WDBS event, London-based Geronimo progressed from Saturday’s group stages to a last eight meeting with fellow debutant Oliver Hanson. Following a 3:0 victory he then added the scalp of Preston’s Jordan Crossey with a 3:1 success to secure his place in the final. He came up against reigning Northern Classic champion Leroy Williams in the decisive match after the Liverpudlian had made smooth progress through the draw without the loss of a frame. It was Williams who made the faster start to the final, making a tournament high break of 46 on his
way to taking the opening frame. Geronimo however had shown impressive tactical nous throughout the event and took a lengthy second frame to draw level, before adding the third to move one away from the title. For much of the fourth frame it appeared as though the final was destined for a decider as Williams held the advantage, but it was Geronimo who was the stronger player on the colours and eventually potted the black to clinch a comeback victory. He subsequently described the victory as the ‘best of his life’ and accepted his gold medal from fellow competitor and British television actor Liam Bairstow. As both the tournament winner and high break prizes were won by players from classification Group 6B, there was also an additional prize for the best performing player from Group 6A which was won by semi-finalist Michael Farrell. The Group 6A high break prize was claimed by local player Michael Greenheld following a run of 19 against Farrell during their quarter-final encounter.
Peter Geronimo winner of the 2018 Humber Classic
The Challenge Cup winner Alexandra Mendham
Challenge Cup The Challenge Cup for competitors who did not progress to the knockout rounds of the main tournament was won by regular player Alexandra Mendham. It was a weekend to remember for Mendham who was impressive throughout and signed off with a 2-0 victory against first-timer Paul Wilshaw to earn her first gold medal.
Open day success The weekend began with a busy open day on Friday which welcomed groups from Sheffield, Goole, Blackburn and Hull, as well as other people with disabilities. With opportunities available to participate in fun games, receive snooker coaching from WPBSA World Snooker
coaches and to practice ahead of the weekend, it was a fantastic day for everybody involved and we look forward to seeing everybody again at future events. As with the recent Welsh Open, the event was kindly supported by FizzThinks360, with company founder Jonny ‘Fizz’ Welch in attendance during the weekend. WDBS would like to thank everyone at the Tradewell Snooker Club for their continued support of disability snooker. Already we are looking forward to returning this November for our third Hull Open competition for our Group 6-8 players. We would also like to thank not only all of the players, but their families and supporters who travelled to the event and without whom the event would not have been possible.
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Disability Snooker Welcomed in China Officials from World Disability Billiards and Snooker (WDBS) recently visited the China Administration of Sports for Persons with Disabilities (CASPD) to explore future partnership opportunities. Officials from World Disability Billiards and Snooker (WDBS) recently visited the China Administration of Sports for Persons with Disabilities (CASPD) to explore future partnership opportunities. Nigel Mawer QPM, chairman of WDBS and WPBSA Sport Development Manager Chris Hornby met with Mr Wu Secretary of the Party Committee for CASPD and his team at the Chinese Paralympic Training Facility in Beijing. During fruitful discussions the parties discussed the significant growth of WDBS since its formation less than three years ago and how both WDBS and the CASPD can work together in the future to develop disability snooker in China.
Established in August 2003 as a non-profit organisation, the CASPD is responsible for the organisation of national level sport activities for people with disabilities including the following: 1.Preparing the National Paralympic Team for competition 2.To move disabled people into the community 3.Classification of athletes for Paralympics Games 4.Educating athletes through links with Beijing University 5.Maintaining and managing significant facility 6.Preparations for 2022 Winter Olympic Games/Paralympic Games 7.Staging international disabled sport events
It was provisionally agreed that both parties are to work together with support from the China Billiards and Snooker Association (CBSA) to stage an open day at the Rigour Academy in Beijing for people with disabilities to try snooker and receive coaching from CBSA and WPBSA accredited coaches. This is to take place during ‘Disability Week’ on the 7th August 2018 and will be the first project of its kind in the region.
WDBS and CASPD will also continue work together on longer-term initiatives to include the installation of both full-size and ‘Little Star’ snooker tables at the Beijing facility to create opportunities for people with disabilities to play snooker. This project aims to engage both those playing for recreational and rehabilitation purposes, as well as creating a pathway for elite talent to progress to competition play.
Rigour technology During their recent time in China both Nigel Mawer QPM and Chris Hornby also visited the Rigour Snooker Academy in Beijing to discuss whether Rigour’s industry-leading technology could be used to assist the global development of snooker for people with disabilities. Positive discussions and technology demonstrations took place and both WDBS and Rigour Tech will continue their cooperation over the coming months.
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@wpbsaofficial
website > www.wpbsa.com
Matt Huart | Media Officer for the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association Ltd
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Few years ago we did notice some interesting realistic pencil portraits of sporting and other celebrity persons on twitter. We were interested in who is the author of those drawing
Daniela Reich
• Daniela please tell us a little bit about yourself, you live in Austria ... - I'm 34 years old and live in a small village near Braunau in Austria. I'm a single child and my parents are living with me in my house. I attended a business school til I was 19, afterwards I was working in an office and as a personal assistant. In my freetime I love reading, going-out, watching snooker and doing photoshop works. • So, when did you begin to draw, did you started as a child, or did your interest in art develop over time? - I did my first pencil portrait in school when I was about 14 and my teacher was pretty surprised how good it was, as I wasn't too good at drawing lessons so far. When I was 16 I started doing some drawings at home, I bought a few books teaching drawing, did some still lifes and moved on to drawing potraits of my favourite actors and musicians. Right from the start the drawings looked pretty good and soon my parents got aware that I might have some talent. Depsite doing drawings myself I never developed any real intererest in art. • The linework and shades in your drawings has a very high quality, how did you learn to draw, are you an educated drawer or you a an natural talent? - Thank you! No, I never attanded any art school or something, I just leared it by doing and developed my own style, so yes, I guess I might be some kind of natural talent. I tried different pencils, papers, charcoal and erasers to find out what works best for me. And it’s a continuous progress, you always find out something new to make it better and make the drawings more realistic. • If you have it, who is your role model (artists as Monica Lee, Paul Cadden or any other pencil drawers)? - No, I have no role model at all, I don’t know any artists, famous or not. I sometimes check out some drawings of other pencil artists and there are really great one’s. A few times I tried a different style like one of them but it never worked out so I guess I have to stick to what I do best.
• When was your first contact with snooker, was it on TV, at some snooker club or tournament, exhibition match or did you start to follow the game for some other reason? - I first got interested in snooker during the World Championship 2012. My granny has been a huge snooker fan for years and I was visiting her by the end of April while she was watching snooker. I accompanied her watching and immediately thought it was a very fascinating game. She explained some of the rules to me and I watched the rest of the WCS at home. I fell in love with snooker right from the start and I'm hooked since then!
• Do you play snooker or any billiard games? - No, I don’t play snooker myself, there are not snooker clubs/tables near where I live so it was never an issue. I tried to play a bit of pool billiard with friends but I’m not really good at it. • Did you meet any of the snooker players and do you have a personal favorite one? - In the last few years I’ve been to Fürth and attended the Paul Hunter Classic and met a lot of players there. I absolutely enjoyed the atmopshere there everytime and it’s nice getting some pics with the players and having a chat with them. My fave players are John Higgins and Alan McManus. • Have you so far had exhibitions of your works and do you sell your artwork? - No, I’ve had no exhibitions so far, I’m to busy with orders than to organize an exhibition atm. Yes, I sell my artwork, mainly through the internet on social media or on my homepage www.reichdaniela.com • And for the end whose portrait is next? I think the next drawing of a snooker player I’d love to do is one of youngster Alexander Ursenbacher. But I have no clue when I find time for it as I have too many orders atm. • Thank you for this short interview, enjoy following the game of snooker and of course, we hope to see many of your delightful drawings in the future.
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SNOOKER ACADEMY powered by
how to play the game of snooker print screen
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To play deep screw shot on the snooker table, when the white ball is six inches or more away from the object balls and you want to return to the perfect position for the next ball, you need top technique, a safe low bridge, a grip that gives you the ability of a full, straight-forward follow through cue movement and perfect body position!
screw shot (draw; backspin) How simple it looks when the top class players execute this, not so simple, shot. On the screen shot above you may see moment when Ronnie O'Sullivan plays (left handed) unbelievable screw shot. That “stroke of a genius” is played at the 2014 Welsh Open final (vs Ding Junhui) in which Ronnie made his 12th competitive maximum break. That, one perfect, shot contains all the elements we want to explain. Let's start from the beginning, a good, firm game and pefect shots arise from self-
confidence. If you are not sure what to do and which position do you need, when you play a shot then it means you might start think negatively about your game or your own abilities. During your practice, just like in a game, try to focus and concentrate on each ball, and do not think for a moment negative, because then your brain will turn that “signal” into insecurity and thus affect all of your next shots and the whole course of your game. The first thing you have to do when playing screw shot, just like in every shot you play, is to
set up your body into right position. Use here all the previously learned basics that are essential when approaching the table before each stroke. In doing so, do not lift the rear part of the cue, on the contrary, keep the cue level with the cloth (as low as possible). Your open bridge also must be as low as possible and firmly set on the table, adjust bridge to the stroke so that the connection of your thumb and forefinger
are as low as possible, but at the same time do not reduce the strength of the bridge (graph 1: open bridge). The bridge must be strong enough to not move during the shot. Remember too, that the bridge must be far enough away from the white ball so that the momentum itself can be properly executed when you drive the cue all the way through the white ball, see how Ronnie's bridge is away from the playing ball! Important part of this shot is the length of the follow through which must be a bit further than ordinary (graph 2: follow through).
graph 1
graph 2
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follow through
graph 3
“stun� shot 5 draw shot 1
And do not be afraid to play at the very bottom of the cue ball (marked in green on the graph 3 above). Advice (for the beginners) is to practice screw shot at the table covered with the older cloth just in case that you may do some damage on it (in case of dreaded miscue). At the slower, club cloth (where humidity is also one of the main factors), you shall find out how hard is to draw back cue ball, and you'll be forced to play much harder every shot to produce needed amount of spin on the cue ball. But playing same shot on the fast (pro) cloth, and on the table with heated slates, you going to be surprised how easy is it to draw back white ball back from the two, three feet distance; that's why you have to get used to on playing surface.
So, for screw shots you need smooth cue action and a clear pause at the end of the back swing before driving the cue through. As always it's important to hold your body absolutely still on the shot. If white ball is under the cushion or too close to object ball don't even consider to play screw shot. Always be realistic and do not try to force the angle when you play difficult and long shots. And remember that shot selection is important part of snooker, if you have an easier option than deep screw shot consider to play the other shot (as a substitute the most common are containing safety shots or shot to nothing). We advise you to watch few videos in which professional players execute the power screw back shots (one of the best example is probably Neil Robertson's blue ball at the 2010 World Championship). At the end of article we may give you one last advice to perfect this and other shots in the game, the only way is plenty of hard work at the practise table. In the next issue: playing with the different kinds of rests
simple but important tips: before every shot chalk your cue tip to avoid miscue and always aim and strike in the low middle part of the cue ball because a little bit of side spin may cause missing the pot.
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@SnookerCroatia The Tornado is back: After 10 months Tony Drago is back where he belongs, potting the balls on pool and the snooker tables. He is pleased how he played his "comeback" tournament in Holland together with his pool partner Ryan Pisani. He wrote afterwards: "Looking Forward to getting back to Cue Sports”. Successful return wished him many friends and fans from all over the world. He added on fb: “Great to be back in Action after 10 Months and the New Glasses are FANTASTIC!”
2018 Snooker Challenge
CHINA vs BRITAIN
Shenzhen Nanshan Cultural and Entertainment Center, Shenzhen • China from 23rd to 25th November
The tournament will feature four-man teams from China and the UK, playing singles and doubles matches. Last year the tournament was held for the first time when the five-man British team of Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Williams, Graeme Dott, Joe Perry and Michael Holt beat China’s Ding Junhui, Liang Wenbo, Yan Bingtao, Zhou Yuelong and Zhao Xintong by an overall score of 26-9
source: www.worldsnooker.com
photography is published with permission
www.thecuecollector.com
photography is published with permission
justlikepictures Sidney Smith was the first player to make a total clearance in snooker competition, break of 133 points which was the first time that one player clear of all the balls, starting from the first red to the last black. That happend on 11th December 1936 in the Daily Mail Gold Cup.
Steve Davis has recently turned 61, nowadays he is more known as soul and rock DJ, he is host of The Interesting Alternative show. Steve Davis performed with his collaborator Kavus Torabi at the Glastonbury Festival in 2016.
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more than ten years around the snooker tables Š 2007 - 2018 Snooker Croatia • Independent Sports & Entertainment (ISE) Media