Comet Billiards
233 Littleton Rd
Parsippany
New Jersey
United States of America
www.cometbilliards.com
www.dragonpromotions.com
www.dragonpromotions.com/tickets.html - Tickets
24-29 August 2009
Cohen made history as France's first World Pool Champion.
Photo courtesy Jerry Tarantola.
Stephan Cohen Shocks World as the New Predator World 14.1 Champion
There's a new sheriff in straight pool town, Stephan Cohen. In an event where names like Ortmann, Hohmann, Immonen dominated headlines all week, relatively unknown Stephan Cohen of France surprised everyone, including himself. Cohen's win capped off the 6 days of the Predator 69th World 14.1 Championship presented by Ozone Billiards. The Dragon Promotions revived event is in its 4th consecutive year alive with help of industry giants such as Predator, Ozone Billiards, Brunswick Billiards, Simonis Cloth,
"Read More..." for the details.
Ortmann looked the man to beat all week with his record four 100 + ball runs. But Mika Immonen had been Germany's Achilles heel. Immonen knocked out pre-event favorite Thorsten Hohmann and then in a dramatic match full of reversal of leads, he upset Oliver Ortmann. Mika took an early 60 ball lead against Ortmann, the first time Ortmann had trailed in any of his matches the previous 5 days. Ortmann came back though to take the lead. Mika then came back and re-took the lead, but relinquished the table again and it looked all over as Ortmann needed a 70 ball run to win, a mere formality it seemed compared to his other matches. At 181, Ortmann missed a combination a few inches from the hole, and Mika knew it would be his last chance. He ran 55 and out to keep Ortmann at 3rd place and away from a second world title in 14.1.
"When Oliver was on his last inning, I knew if I ever got another chance that would be it. I decided to not try to be too cute, just play," Immonen said after his match win.
Immonen kept the heat on Ortmann in the semi-finals.
Photo courtesy Jerry Tarantola.
In a lackluster and long 4 hour battle with USA's Johnny Archer, Cohen defeated Archer 200-104. This was Archer's highest finish at the World 14.1, and he was USA's highest finisher this year. So far since 1990, a USA player has not made it to the finals.
Archer finished a career high 3rd at the World Straight Pool
Photo courtesy Jerry Tarantola.
The final match would be a first, Finland vs France. To date, neither country had ever won a World 14.1 billiards title, and no Frenchman or woman, had ever claimed a world title in pool. The match started with the heavy favorite Immonen with a 97 ball run. He eventually held Cohen to a devastating 145-15, all in a matter of less than an hour. But you can't keep a good Frenchman down.
Cohen went undefeated throughout the entire event, and pocketed 1300 balls.
Photo courtesy Jerry Tarantola.
Cohen clawed his way back with a couple small but helpful runs, and Immonen made two more errors. Eventually both players were very close, with Immonen leading 160-145. Immonen had another turn at the table and it seemed he would close out the match still as expected, but at 181 he left himself no good shot. A jacked up cut-shot on the 4ball, or a kick shot on the 12ball. He opted for the kick-shot but only managed to hit the ball and not threaten the pocket. Cohen came back and ran out. Cohen left himself a very tough backwards cut shot on the 4ball as the break-shot, but hit it beautifully. This started his final run and he closed the match out 200-181 with a jubilant shout and fist in the air!
Immonen knocked out the German favorites, but fell short in the finals.
Photo courtesy Jerry Tarantola.
"I really thought I was going to finally win one of these Dragon Promotions 14.1 events. It's hard to get so close again," said a dejected Immonen. Immonen, to his credit, made it to his 6th consecutive finals match in just 7 weeks. He won 4 out of the 7 finals matches.
An emotional Cohen squeaked out a few tears and went to Danny Diliberto, expert Accu-Stats commentator and former billiards champion, and embraced him.
"I owe this World title and everything I know of straight pool to this man. He gave me all his knowledge, and I wouldn't have won without him," said Cohen in his victory speech to the fans.
"Cohen came to me after his semi-finals win, and told me he had a problem. He booked his flight to leave tonight before the finals!", explained Charlie Williams, the co-producer of the event. "He laughed and told me he never thought he'd make it this far."
The awards ceremony re-introduced the final 4 players, and Oliver Ortmann gave an embrace and genuine congratulations to Cohen on his well deserved win. Cohen's name will be inscribed on the World Straight Pool Championship trophy alongside Niels Feijen, Oliver Ortmann, Thorsten Hohmann, and legends Mosconi, Mizerak, Greenleaf, Crane and many more.
The Mosconi High Run Award paid $500 bonus to Oliver Ortmann who's 150 and out stood as the top run. Hohmann's world record of 174 still stands. The high run prizes were sponsored by Jay Helfert of Los Angeles CA, and Louis Pannullo of Queens, NY. Mattana and Siegel had added an additional $1000 to any player that broke the world record of 174.
Mika vs Oliver Showdown at Predator World 14.1 Championship
Oliver Ortmann ran another impressive 124 against Herring.
Photo courtesy Jerry Tarantola.
Ice Man vs The Machine
It took the likes of a player such as Mika Immonen to take out former World 14.1 Champ Thorsten Hohmann. Immonen controlled the match till the end, despite a late rally from the German. Oliver Ortmann easily dispatched USA's Earl Herring and Scotland's Jonni Fulcher to advance to the semi-finals of the Predator 69th World 14.1 Championship presented by Ozone Billiards. The Dragon Promotions revived event is in its 4th consecutive year alive with help of industry giants such as Predator, Ozone Billiards, Brunswick Billiards, Simonis Cloth, Master Chalk, Aramith Balls, Accu-Stats and the Laser Rack. Comet Billiards will host this year's event which will start play on August 24, 2009 and end August 29. The greatest straight pool players from around the world will arrive on USA's east coast again to New Jersey, and attend this prestigious event to play for the coveted title of World Straight Pool Champion. Ortmann continues his reign of terror in NJ, again with another 100 ball run, today 124. This is his fourth consecutive 100+ ball run for the event. But he will face his toughest challenge yet, the formidable Mika Immonen. Immonen, a former European 14.1 Champ, has been on a hot streak including a recent 2nd place at The Mezz Classic 14.1 which included a win over Hohmann in Orlando a few weeks ago. This win may have given him additional psychological edge as he handed Hohmann a second consecutive defeat by his hands, eliminating this year's hope of Hohmann regaining the coveted World 14.1 crown.
Immonen had faltered last year in the final 16, but this year had earlier predicted he would try much harder and bear down in the later stages. He seems to be holding true to his word. Many fans were hoping for a Oliver versus Thorsten showdown, but Mika seems to be the better man in 14.1 as of late. If Immonen wins, this would mark his second World title since his iconic win in Cardiff at the World 9-Ball back in 2001.
"This is an important title for me. To be the World Straight Pool Champion will prove to the world I am not a one trick pony",said Immonen.
Immonen believes he is due for another World title.
Photo courtesy Jerry Tarantola.
On the other side of the charts, Charlie Williams continued his run with a 200-40 crushing of Jim Gottier. After Johnny Archer dispatched Corey Deuel for the second time, Archer and Williams faced each other for the right to represent the USA in the semi-finals. Williams struck first blood with a 57 ball run off Archer's break, but later Archer cameback and eventually came with a 109 ball run to reach 191-80. Williams made a short rally to 126, but missed the breakball and gave Archer the chance for the win.
Archer is the 3rd American to reach the semi-finals in the four years of the revived event.
Photo courtesy Jerry Tarantola.
Tony Robles also lost a tough 200-149 match against France's Stefan Cohen. Robles finished 5th, his best ever finish at the World 14.1 and first ever top 16 appearance. Cohen and Archer will face off tomorrow in the other semi-finals. If Archer wins, he will be the first American to ever reach the finals of the World 14.1 since its revival four years ago. The winner will get Ortmann or Immonen, neither being a very appetizing prospect.
On the lighter side, The Pro Am World 14.1 event featured sponsors Harold Siegel, Stu Mattana, Bill Haley, Cindy Lee, and VIP guest Joel Schapiro alongwith pros Max Eberle, Earl Herring, Jonni Fulcher, Tony Robles, and Zaid Thweib. Cindy Lee/Max Eberle defeated Schapior/Herring 25-2 in their 14.1 scotch doubles race and then won 25-24 against Haley/Thweib. But Mattana/Fulcher were unstoppable and easily won 25-5 in the finals.
Fans can watch live online at www.accu-stats.com
Per day tickets can be bought at the door during the event.
The Mosconi High Run Award will pay $500 to the players with overall high run of the event plus $100 to the highest run each day.
The high run prizes are sponsored by Jay Helfert of Los Angeles CA, and Louis Pannullo of Queens, NY. Mattana and Siegel are adding additional $1000 to any player that breaks the world record of 174.
Click the image to view the full-size poster (use "back" to return here).
2009 PREDATOR WORLD 14.1 STRAIGHT POOL CHAMPIONSHIP | ||
PARSIPPANY, NEW JERSEY, USA | ||
THE PLAYER LIST | ||
Thorsten Hohmann GER | Jonni Fulcher SCO | Carlos Viera USA |
The 2009 Predator World Straight Pool Championship is proudly sponsored by Predator Cues, Comet Billiards, Brunswick Billiards, Simonis Cloth, Ozone Billiards, Laser Rack, Master Chalk and patron sponsors Stu Mattana and Harold Siegel of Excelsior Graphics. 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.
Ozone Billiards has been providing pool players with top quality billiard products for more than eight years. Its commitment to customer service has helped Ozone Billiards grow to be one of the largest retailers of billiard supplies in the United States. For more information about Ozone Billiards and its product lines, visit www.ozonebilliards.com
Predator Group, an international billiards industry leader, is focused on bringing constant innovation and game-improving equipment to billiards players worldwide. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, Predator Group’s core brands include Predator Cues – high-end (professional level) cues with revolutionary technology to enhance performance, Poison Billiards – recreational cues with cutting-edge designs and Predator engineering for best-in-class playability, and Uni-Loc® – precision billiards equipment manufacturer. For more information regarding Predator Group’s products, visit www.predatorgroup.com.
Stephan's Cohen name will be inscribed as the 69th Champion of the World 14.1 Tournament.