|
The Pro Shop
|
|
|
|

NEW: Buy 2 items (or
more) and get a free
upgrade to 1st Class
UK postage.
Predator Roadline
30th Anniversary Gold

Predator Roadline
30th Anniversary Gold

KODA
Slip-on Rest Head

McDermott Cases
Replacement Strap

Predator SP2
Purple Metallic

Z9 Cloth
Ocean Blue/Titan Grey

Jacoby
Monster Crush

Ko Brothers
Billiard Chalk

Predator Legacy
2x4 & 3x5 Cases

Predator Legacy
Limited - Order Now!

Ko Cue Tips
Made In Japan

Bounty Hunter
10 in 1 Repair Kit

Jump Training Ball
by McDermott

O’Min F2
Radial Pool Cue

New - Pre-Order!
Mezz Pro Towel

Predator
Centro Shaft

Cue Extensions
- fits Predator

Predator SP2
Adventura Cocobolo

John Barton
Ultimate Rugged

Predator LE
Sang Lee Series 2

New Tiger Tip
Nitro by Appleton

Predator Virtuoso
Ebony/Malachite

Predator Virtuoso
Cocobolo/Turquoise

Predator Virtuoso
Maple/Thuya/Turquoise

Cuetec Cynergy
SVB Gen 2 White

Cuetec Cynergy
SVB Gen 2 Black

Fury Stinger
Carbon Upgrade

Cuetec DUO Smart
AVID Extension

Cuetec DUO Smart
SVB Extension

Predator Ball Case
2¼" Ball Size

The Golden 8
Aramith 2¼" Ball

Predator P3
Metallic Grey

Cuetec AVID
Chroma - Crimson

Cuetec AVID
Chroma - Currency

Predator
Shorty - No Wrap

Predator
Shorty + Sport Grip

Bulk Ball Sets
For clubs & leagues!

Predator Roadline
Black & Grey 3x6

Magic Rack
Pro Set - Grey

Predator SP2
Red Metallic 1

Predator SP2
Red Metallic 2

Predator
BK-Rush Sport Grip

Predator
BK-Rush Break Cue

Mosconi Cup
Team USA Ball

Mosconi Cup
Team Europe Ball

Cuetec AVID
Opt-X Teal

Cuetec AVID
Opt-X Lavender

Tiger
Tip Protector

Mezz Tsubasa
Jump Tip

TAOM
V10 - Blue

Cutshots
Perfect Aim Trainer

Super Shot
V8 Mega Bridge

Samsara True
Playing Tips

IGNITE
IGP Tip Plate

Bob Meucci Custom
Casino 3

Meucci Cues
The Gambler

Taom MaxRack
Order Now!

Kamui
Chalk Shark *Beta

Kamui
Chalk Shark *Roku

Cuetec Truewood
Mappa Burl

Holly Reborn
New for 2024

Aramith BLACK
Back in stock!

Aramith Pro Cup
Back in stock!

Instroke GEO
Black/Burgundy

Cuetec Cynergy X
Full Carbon Cue

Predator Urbain
Full Houndstooth

Mezz Gloves
Now in 4 Colours!

ProPockets
Free post worldwide!

Mezz TB-24
Travel Bag

TheProShop.biz
Free Post in Europe!
Order now! |
|
|
|
|
Main Menu
|
|
|
|
|
World Pool Series - Klenti Has Plenty To Celebrate
|
|
 |
Posted on Sunday, April 09 2017 @ 09:38:01 UTCby admin
|
|
|
World Pool Series - 2nd Series Steinway Cafe-Billiards 3525 Steinway St. Astoria New York USA www.worldpoolseries.com - facebook - twitter - instagram - scores - stream www.steinwaybilliards.com - facebook
5-8 April 2017 - Aramith Masters Championship 7-8 April 2017 - Kamui Challenge Championship
 18 year old High School Student Klenti Kaci Shocks The Pool World By Winning The Aramith Masters At The World Pool Series In New York City. Click the image to view the full size photograph - use "back" to return here. Klenti Has Plenty To Celebrate--Finals Report from the Aramith Masters
Article - Ted Lerner - WPS Media Officer Photography - ©JP Parmentier/WPS
Playing with an almost surreal poise and skill that belies his obvious youth, 18 year old Albanian Klenti Kaci captured the Aramith Masters Championship on Saturday in New York City with a two sets to nil win over the Philippines Carlo Biado, and at the same time laid claim to being the most promising young rising star in pool’s professional ranks.
The tall and good looking Albanian, who this week was on his third pool playing trip to the United States in the last 8 months, and who regularly plays on the Euro Tour, captured the $12,000 first prize in this the second event of Darren Appleton’s new 8-ball tour, the World Pool Series.
But much more than the money and even the title, Kaci showcased the kind of uncanny skill and psychological maturity reserved for players with years more experience. His ability to keep total control of the cue ball, keep the game simple, slurp up the intense pressure as if it simply didn’t exist, and hone in on the finish line like a fine tuned laser was simply breathtaking. This young man, who is still in high school back in his native Albania, has the goods and then some.
Those that know Kaci from his recent forays on the Euro Tour and his few stints in the States all knew he was a talented player. But of course nobody figured that the 18 year old was ready to win a tournament that was loaded with some of the world’s best pool talent and seen by several million people on Facebook Live through social media giant Unilad. The calm and collected Kaci, though, clearly had other ideas.
The young Albanian started the day a heavy underdog in his semi-final match with the man nearly everyone considers the best player on the planet right now, Jayson Shaw. The Scotsman, however, was the one who played with his back against the wall, while Kaci was in total control throughout and never got rattled. While Shaw struggled to get comfortable, Kaci kept cool and won the first set, 6-4. Shaw was more competitive in the second set and the pair played a one rack decider. But the Albanian showed more bottle and persevered to win the second, 7-6, to advance to a suprise final.
There he met up with the Philippines Carlo Biado, who had played solid in his semi-final match against England’s Darren Appleton, the man who founded the World Pool Series. The 35 year old Filipino was the steadier of the two, winning the first set 6-3, then the second set 7-5 to advance to the final with a 2 sets to nil victory.

Share this article on FaceBook
"Read More..." for further details!
 Click the image to view the full size photograph - use "back" to return here. Biado has been one of the world’s top players for the last four years and has come tantalizingly close to big victories including several world titles but never cashed in. During the interview prior to the start of the match Biado seemed intent on righting that wrong in his resume. In the first set, however, Kaci proved to be the more resilient as he raced out to a 4-1 lead in the first set and held off the Filipino at every turn. The Albanian stayed steady and focused, and never trailed capturing set one, 6-4.
Kaci kept up his solid and focused play in the second set. He hardly made mistakes, and kept amazing control of the cue ball in taking a 3-2 lead. Biado caught him and took his first lead of the match at 4-3, but Kaci never waivered and soon was back up at 5-4. Biado had more fire in this set and tied it again. But the Albanian pounced on several errors by the Filipino, kept his game simple and precise, shrugged off any pressure as if it was a mere nuisance, and took the last three racks for an emphatic 7-5 set win, and an unlikely title.
Cheered heartily by the packed crowd at Steinway Billiards in Queens, Kaci, who has been playing pool since he was 8 years old, clearly reveled in his amazing feat. But in similar fashion to the way he played throughout the week, he had a calmness and surety that seemed to say that he knew he was destined for this very success for many years.
“The first set I played really good, I didn’t make any mistake,” Kaci said. “The second set I made a couple of mistakes but in the end I won, so that’s OK. I feel really good about myself. I just won the biggest tournament of my life and I beat the top players in the world and I’m very happy about that.
 Click the image to view the full size photograph - use "back" to return here. “Everybody feels the pressure, but the good thing about me is that I know how to control the pressure. When I was in the final, I already felt that I had done well, so no matter what happened in the final, I would be happy. Of course, in the final I really wanted to win.
“You know I started playing pool when I was 8 years old. When I’m 10 and 11 years old I started playing pool 8 to 10 hours a day, spending my whole day in the pool hall. I wasn’t like other kids who are just drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes. When you work hard, you can get what you want and can win what you want.
"When I was young, 11 and 12 years old, I watched all the great players on Youtube and wanted to be like them. I really admired Wu Chia Ching when he won the world championship when he was just 16 years old. He’s a legend. I always wanted to be like him. I know this isn’t a world championship, but it feels like it right now. All the toughest players were here. So I’m very happy about that. I always dreamed about winning something big, but so soon like this? I’m very surprised myself. For winning the Aramith Masters Kaci received $12,000.
*In the second chance Kamui Challenge tournament, the Philippines Lee Vann Corteza defeated Mika Immonen by shootout to take the $3000 first prize.
FINAL Klenti Kaci(ALB) 2 – 0 Carlo Biado(PHL)
SEMI-FINALS Carlo Biado(PHL) 2- 0 Darren Appleton(GBR) Klenti Kaci(ALB) 2 – 0 Jayson Shaw(GBR)
 Click the image to view the full size poster - use "back" to return here. *The second event of the World Pool Series, The Aramith Masters, is being held at Steinway Cafe Billiards in Astoria, Queens, New York City from April 5-8, 2017. The World Pool Series is sponsored by Aramith, Molinari, Predator, Cheqio, RYO Rack, Iwan Simonis, Kamui, Billiards Digest, Cuescore, Ultimate Team Gear, and High Rock Productions.
For more information on the live stream, please visit the official website of the World Pool Series at www.worldpoolseries.com
Enjoy the article? Now try this...
View Pro9's front page! Chat about this article in our forums. Visit The Pro Shop to see new cues and gadgets. Check out the Pro9.co.uk calendar for details of more events.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
8 Ball
|
|
|
|
|
Comments