|
The Pro Shop
|
|
|
|
NEW: Buy 2 items (or
more) and get a free
upgrade to 1st Class
UK postage.
Predator BK Rush
Back in stock!
Predator Scorpion
Light - One Only
Predator Scorpion
Dark - One Only
TAOM
V10 - Blue
Cutshots
Perfect Aim Trainer
Predator SP2
Adventura 1
Predator SP2
Adventura 2
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
Cuetec Truewood
Sycamore
Holly Reborn
New for 2024
Aramith100
Last few sets now...
Aramith Snooker
Super Pro 1G
Aramith BLACK
Back in stock!
Aramith Pro Cup
Back in stock!
Instroke GEO
Black/Burgundy
Cuetec Cynergy X
Full Carbon Cue
Cuetec Cynergy X
Full Carbon Cue
Cuetec Cynergy X
Full Carbon Cue
Predator Urbain
Houndstooth Top
Predator Urbain
Full Houndstooth
Predator Air Rush
GOLD - No Wrap
Predator Air Rush
GOLD - Sport Wrap
Mezz Gloves
Now in 4 Colours!
ProPockets
Free post worldwide!
Mezz GMC-35KC
Black/Carbon
Cuetec DUO Smart
AVID Extension
Cuetec DUO Smart
SVB Extension
Mezz TB-24
Travel Bag
Kamui ROKU Chalk
Slate Grey
Kamui ROKU Chalk
Original Blue
Cuetec AVID Surge
Black/Gold Jump
Cuetec AVID Surge
Brown Stain Jump
Cuetec AVID Surge
Grey Stain Jump
Kamui Athlete Soft
Tip for Carbon Shafts
Kamui Athlete
Tip for Carbon Shafts
Pagulayan Chalk
Blue
Pagulayan Chalk
Green
Cuetec Extension
Extra Butt Cap
Horo Tips
Helios
Horo Tips
Odyssey
Horo Tips
Beast
Bear
Weight Screws
Mezz
ASTR Series
3/8x11
Joint Protector Set
NEW! Moori SST
Super Slow Tall
Predator Glove
Second Skin - Teal
Lucasi
4x8 Soft Case
Fury
Stinger 4
Viking
Cue Towel
Cuetec Bowtie
Now in Colour!
Cuetec Glove
New NOIR Colour
Black Ingot
Break Cue Tip
Pechauer Naked
Black Ice
Triple 60
Billiard Chalk
Cuetec Pro Line 4x8
Noir Limited Edition
Cuetec Pro Line 2x4
Noir Limited Edition
Aramith
Camouflage
Cue Cube
Dime Radius
Cue Cube
Nickel Radius
Mosconi Cup
Team Europe Lag Ball
Mezz Sneaky Pete
Purple Heart 2
Kamui
Tip Protectors
Bear
DB-8 / UniLoc Shaft
Hans Delta
Shaft & Ferrule Care
Cuetec HI-TECH
Graphite cue cleaner
Predator Urbain
Black & Yellow 3x5
Predator Urbain
Black & Yellow 2x4
Table Cover
9ft Leatherette
Lucasi
Limited Edition LUX63
Lucasi
Limited Edition LUX58
Cuetec AVID
Opt-X FK Blue
Pechauer
Rogue Carbon Shaft
Predator
Pro Billiard Series
Sure Shot
Joint Protector Holder
Predator Air Rush
Red Revenge
Cuetec Pro Line 4x8
New GREY Colour
Cuetec Pro Line 4x8
New NAVY Colour
Cuetec Glove
New GREY Colour
Cuetec Glove
New NAVY Colour
Felt Saver
by Cue Candy
8pt Sneaky Pete
Maple and Rosewood
Last 4 Ever
Combo Tip-Tool
Desk Clock
Ideal Gift
4pt Sneaky Pete
Leather emboss wrap
Predator Aspire
Weight Bolts
8pt Sneaky Pete
Leather emboss wrap
High End JPs
Engraved Aluminium
Predator K Series
Iconic Classics 2-3
Predator BK4
No Wrap/Linen/Sports
Kielwood Shafts
11.75mm Torrified
Taom Pro Tips
Back in stock
2 1/4" Table Bowls
Made in England
Mezz
Wavy Joint Protectors
Zan Premium
14mm Soft
Magic Ball Rack
Matchroom Grey
Predator
Black Shadow Hoodie
Predator
White Shadow Hoodie
BMC Meucci
Glass Rose - White
Predator
Crest Billiard Chalk
In Stock Now
Simonis 860
Cuetec AVID Proof
Brown - NW
Cuetec AVID
Low Deflection Shafts
Cuetec AVID Proof
Black - LTW
Predator Pure
3-pc Chalk Sampler
PRO
Inspection Machine
TAOM
Leather Chalk Pouch
HOW
Premium Chalk
Predator P3 Nova
British Racing Green
Moori
Billiard Glove
Predator
Pool Ball Carrier Case
Cuetec Cynergy
SVB Gen 1 Series
BRAD
Cue Scuffer
Aramith BLACK
Individual cue ball
Cuetec Pro Line
2x4 Hard Case
Cuetec
Alcohol Wipes
Cuetec
Acueweight Kit
Cuetec DUO®
Smart Extension
Cuetec AVID Era
6pt Sneaky Pete
Cuetec AVID Era
Florian Kohler
Cuetec Truewood
Cynergy Walnut
Cuetec Truewood
Cynergy Walnut
Cuetec AVID
11.75 & 12.75mm
Cuetec Truewood
Cynergy Leopard
Cuetec Truewood
Cynergy Leopard
Cuetec Billiard
Microfiber Towel
Cuetec Gloves
All sizes in stock!
Cuetec AVID
Surge Break Cue
Cuetec
Bullet Jump Cue
Predator
Shorty + Sport Grip
Tiger
Silicone Grip
Longoni
Bohemia
Longoni
No Blue
Predator Throne
Series 3-1
Predator Throne
Series 3-2
Predator Throne
Series 3-3
Predator Throne
Series 3-4
Predator Throne
Series 3-5
Lucasi Rival
3x4 Soft Case
Back In Stock!!!
Folding Cue Holder
Willards Tool
Nickel and Dime
Taom
Midas Gloves
Mid-Cue Extension
1¾ Inch UniLoc
Predator
REVO Wipes
Jacoby BlackOut
Brown - No Wrap
Jacoby BlackOut
Grey - Sport Grip
Rasson Method
Last chance to buy!
5/16x18
Mid-Cue Extension
Fury
Telescopic Extension
Predator 2x4
Special Edition Case
Predator 3x5
Special Edition Case
Taom
Soft Chalk
Predator - Appleton
2x4 Hard Case
Predator Glove
Bold New Colours
Predator Strike
Red Jersey
Predator Strike
Yellow Jersey
Brunswick K55
Cushion Rubber
Predator Air 2
Replacement Bumper
Tiger
Bridge Head
HOW Titan
Japanese Pig Skin
Predator 8 Inch
Exotic Extensions
Magic Ball Rack
They are back!
Taom Magnetite
Round Chalk Holder
Predator K-Series
Classics 1-4
Predator K-Series
Classics 1-4
Predator Aspire
Predator ONE Shaft
Fury Stinger
X-Series Cues
Lucasi Air Hog 2
3-piece jump cue
REVO BK RUSH
Break Cue Shaft
Kamui Kageki
Extreme Chalk
Predator TrueSplice
LE Gen 2 Ebony
Predator TrueSplice
LE Gen 2 Curly
Hans Delta
SK-BK1 Break Cue
Jim Rempe
Special Training Ball
Kamui - Training
Diamond Slicer
Exceed
Chalk Holder
Turtle Racks
10 Packs
Pocket Lathe
Free post worldwide!
Predator
AeroRack
Great White Chalk
Thresher Blue
Predator 8-Point
Black/Green Veneers
Predator ARCOS II
Reserve Cue Ball
Predator APEX
9ft Pro Table
Tiger
Sniper Tip
Predator
Ikon4-1
Predator
Ikon4-2
Predator
Ikon4-3
Predator
Ikon4-4
Predator
Ikon4-5
Speed 2
Affordable UniLoc
Mezz ZC-23
2 butt/3 shaft
Master Pro
K55 Cushion Rubber
Rare Predator
Matt Black BK-2
Lucasi Custom
UniLoc Joint
Lucasi Custom
UniLoc Joint
Lucasi Custom
3/8x10 Joint
Lucasi Custom
3/8x10 Joint
UniLoc Weights
Cartridge System
Mezz Avant
Dual Loading System
Magic Ball Rack
All-In-One
Kamui SAI
Control Break
Ignite 12.2 Shaft
Pre-order NOW!
Accu-Rack
Complete SET
Accu-Rack
DIAMOND 9
Accu-Rack
PRO 10
Predator Roadline
3x5 Black/Yellow
Predator ARCOS
Back in stock!
Taom
V10 Chalk
Tiger Corona
Leather Bridge
Taom
Pool Chalk 2.0
Taom
Pyro Chalk
Longoni
Cuetip Razor
Bulletproof
Break Cue Tip
Meucci Shaft
Carbon Fiber Pro
Predator REVO
11.8, 12.4, & 12.9mm
McDermott
6x6 Sport Case
TheProShop.biz
Free Post in Europe!
Order now! |
|
|
|
|
Main Menu
|
|
|
|
|
Klenti Kaci wins the Predator Grand Finale at the World Pool Series
|
|
|
Posted on Saturday, November 04 2017 @ 10:40:22 UTCby admin
|
|
|
World Pool Series - 4th Series Steinway Cafe-Billiards 3525 Steinway St. Astoria New York USA www.worldpoolseries.com - facebook - twitter - instagram - stream www.steinwaybilliards.com - facebook
27 September - 1 October 2017 - Predator Grand Finale
18 year old Klenti Kaci saviors another win at the World Pool Series Click the image to view the full size photograph - use "back" to return here. Catch Me If You Can! 18 year-old Klenti Kaci does it again, winning the Predator Grand Finale at the World Pool Series, with a 13-11 win over Petri Makkonen.
Article - Ted Lerner - WPS Media Officer Photography - ©JP Parmentier/WPS
(New York City)– Playing with an almost surreal poise and ability well beyond his years, 18 year old Klenti Kaci captured the Predador Grand Finale at the World Pool Series on Friday in New York, with a hard fought 13-11 victory over a very game Petri Makkonen.
The win by the Albanian teenager cemented his status as not only the poster boy for the future of professional pool, but as a current bona fide superstar among the elite of the sport. This was Kaci’s second win in the four event World Pool Series this year, an incredibly remarkable feat considering the sheer strength of the 69 player field that had started play on Tuesday at Steinway Billiards in Queens. One only has to pair this win with his runner up finish to Jayson Shaw in the US Open just last week in Virginia to realize that pool fans are witnessing something very special. Not since Wu Chia Ching won the World 9-ball and World 8-ball crowns at the age of 16 back in 2004 has the sport had a true prodigy in their midst.
Throughout the four day event, Kaci displayed all the tools that are normally reserved for the greats of the game with years of battle hardened experience under their belt. He pots balls as good as anyone, his stroke is smooth and steady, he seems to eat pressure for lunch, and he has that most important intangible that few players ever master: he has a nose for the finish line and the winner’s circle.
All of these traits were on full display once again in Friday’s semi-final and final. In the semi-final Kaci squared off against talented Taiwanese Wu Kun Lin. The 23 year old Wu had been showcasing his formidable skills throughout the week in New York and this matchup with the Albanian promised a terrific showdown of pool’s young guns. Wu’s silky smooth stroke and low key demeanor would keep the match close throughout. But Kaci limited his errors and took control when the opportunities arose. The match was close throughout but Kaci was always one or two steps ahead and grabbed a finals spot, 11-8.
Share this article on FaceBook
"Read More..." for further details!
The next semi-final saw Finland’s Makkonen take on Filipino veteran Dennis Orcollo. Makkonen is best known to pool fans around the world as the side kick of compatriot Mika Immonen in the doubles event, the World Cup of Pool, which Finland won in 2013. Makkonen has always played well and shown tremendous talent and bottle in those events, and has even won a Euro Tour singles event. But it can surely be said that it was this week in New York that the 29 year old Finn finally stepped out of the shadows of the Hall of Famer Immonen and staked out his own place in the limelight.
Although he fell just short, Finland’s Petri Makkonen put in the finest performance of his career at the Predator Grand Finale Click the image to view the full size photograph - use "back" to return here. Makkonen and Orcollo stayed close early, but the Finn possessed way more tools in his arsenal and took down the Filipino 11-8.
In the race to 13 final, it quickly became apparent that fans inside Steinway and the over half a million people who tuned in on social media giant Unilad on Facebook were in for an 8-ball treat played at the highest levels of the sport. The brutally tough Rasson table with 4” corner pockets certainly took its toll on both players, but it also brought out the best of these two talented young guns.
Kaci quickly got out to a 2-0 but Makkonen tied it up just as fast. From there the pair jousted in a marvelous tussle, with neither giving an inch. In the early part of the match Makkonen had several chances to go up by three and four racks, but several misses thwarted his advance. Kaci was potting with characteristic skill and looked impervious to the pressure, but he simply couldn’t make a ball on the break.
The duo were tied at 4, 5, and six, before the Albanian opened up a two rack lead at 8-6. The Finn caught him at 8 and took his first lead of the match at 9-8. Kaci then won three in a row and looked to have the match in control up 11-9. The Albanian then seemed to wilt while Makkonen caught a second wind and tied the match at 11. Having broken well all match, the Finn looked to have gained an advantage and was eyeing victory. But then Makkonen suddenly broke dry, and Kaci did what all the greats do in crunch time. He stepped up and closed the deal.
After Makkonen’s dry break, Kaci, with the pressure mounting, stood and calmly ran the table. Up 12-11 and one away from victory, the Albanian executed his best break of the match, downing a ball for the first time since rack two. Impervious to the gravity of the situation, Kaci ran the table for another incredible win.
The moment of victory for Klenti Kaci Click the image to view the full size photograph - use "back" to return here. As he drank in the accolades of the awe struck crowd that had packed Steinway, the 18 year old revealed some of the secrets to his amazing success at such a young age. This is a young man that has obviously put in the time to be successful, that loves pressure and has prepared to play and win on the biggest stages possible. With the win, he has incredibly finished atop the World Series of Pool in its very first year.
“When I won my first World Pool Series in the second event back in April, and then I came in third in the next event here, I now feel like I’m the favorite and that I’m going to go all the way,” Kaci said. “I haven’t really played much 8-ball, but I’m really comfortable playing this game because it’s very tactical and I like that kind of game. When a game is tactical, there’s less luck and it comes down to who is smarter. That’s my kind of game.
“It’s not easy to win a tournament like this at 18 years old. But I know what I have done to be able to reach this point. I have practiced a lot. I have spent a lot of hours over the last few years in pool halls. Not like a lot of young guys who go drink and party and have fun. I have been thinking about this day for a few years. I’m feeling very comfortable when I come to the table. I feel that no matter who I play, that I’m the favorite to win.
“I really want to be the world number 1. I see myself at the top of the world rankings. I love it when I’m in a match where there’s a lot of pressure. I love it when you win a match and there was so much pressure in that match and you were so successful and you did it right.”
Having come so close, Makkonen was visibly upset in the immediate aftermath of a final he had in his grasp. But a few moments later he realized that he had taken his game to a new level in New York this week.
“I didn’t expect to be in the final of an event like this with so many tough players,” Makkonen said. But once I was in the final I wanted the title so bad. I played the best pool of my career in this tournament so I’m quite happy. I started off the final pretty good but in the middle of the match I got a little tired and I lost my focus and got a little frustrated. The table was brutally tough and I felt like I had lost my focus a bit. The table was so tight that you can’t expect anything. You have to really concentrate on every single shot. But I was able to come back in the match and I thought I was going to win it.
“When the score was 11-11, with the way I was breaking I thought I was going to run out the set but I broke dry and he ran the rack, the he broke and ran the next rack for the win so that’s tough. But fair play to him, he played great and he deserved it. He’s a great player, he has everything in order. He makes balls, has the break, he has the overall game and all at such a young age. He played better than me in the final.
“I have been knocking on the door for a few years now but now recently I noticed that I have a real chance so I just have to take my game to the next level.”
With win Kaci received $14,000, while Makkone pocketed $7000. The total prize fund was $65,000.
The Philippines Lee Vann Corteza won the second chance event, the High Rock Challenge Click the image to view the full size photograph - use "back" to return here. *The fourth event of the World Pool Series, The Predator Grand Finale, is being held at Steinway Billiards in Astoria, Queens, New York City from October 31-Nov. 3, 2017. The World Pool Series is sponsored by Predator, UNILAD, RYO Rack, Aramith, Molinari, Cheqio, Iwan Simonis, Kamui, Billiards Digest, Cuescore, Ultimate Team Gear, Tiger, and High Rock Productions.
The World Pool Series is on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/worldpoolseries/
Click the image to view the full size poster - use "back" to return here.
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