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World Tournament: Ortmann Becomes Historic 3x World Champion

A Pro9 - Europe's No.1 Pool Player Resource Article

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Date: Tuesday, October 12 2010 @ 16:52:58 UTC
Topic: 14-1 Straight Pool



The 70th World Tournament
Breaker Billiards
1142 Us-46
Clifton
New Jersey 07013
USA
www.azbilliards.com - Groups - Last 32
www.accu-stats.com - streaming
www.DragonPromotions.com

6-11 October 2010


Ortmann has become the first European to ever win three World Championships

Oliver Ortmann has made history once again. Germany's Ortmann cemented his pool legacy with a sound victory over World #1 Mika Immonen of Finland. This is his third World Championship title, which is a new record for Europeans. Previously only Mika Immonen (Finland) and Thorsten Hohmann (Germany) held two World Championship belts aside from Ortmann. The only other man to win three World Championships sanctioned by the WPA is USA's Earl Strickland. The Predator World Tournament of 14.1 was produced by Dragon Promotions and hosted by Breaker Billiards and owner Ricky Coren. This is the 70th edition of the straight pool event, making it the world's oldest tournament.

The World Tournament was played on beautiful Brunswick Gold Crown tables and using Simonis Cloth. The event started play on October 6,2010 and ended on October 11th. The greatest straight pool players from around the world arrived on USA's east coast again to New Jersey, and was vying in this prestigious event to win the coveted title of World Straight Pool Champion. The event was co-sponsored by Amsterdam Billiard Club, Master Chalk, Aramith Balls, www.Ultimate10ball.com, and Accu-Stats.

Earlier in the day, Ortmann defeated Netherland's Huidji See in the semi-finals 200 to 126. It was not a pretty match as neither player could get on a long run. Huidji had previously lost to Ortmann in the finals of the 2007 World Tournament. In the other semi-finals, Immonen cruised over former World 14.1 Champion Thorsten Hohmann 200 to 65. This would be Immonen's second consecutive finals at The World Tournament, and third final four appearance.

In the finals, the audience and players were informed in the announcements that history would be made today. One of the two remaining players would have a record three World Championship wins. In addition, Immonen could win his first 14.1 World title, or Ortmann could become the first non-American to win two World 14.1 titles.





"Read More..." for the details.


Immonen won the lag and let Ortmann break. Immonen attempted a tough shot after the break and made the ball but scratched off the cluster. Ortmann charged him a high price with a 82 ball run. Immonen got back to the table after Ortmann missed a break shot, but missed a lukewarm difficult shot and was sent back to the chair. Ortmann charged an even higher price with a 102 ball run and needed only 16 balls to win the match. Fortunatley for Immonen, Ortmann missed and gave Immonen another chance.

Immonen faced the prospect of losing 200-0 in the finals, but then came with his own run but was stopped short on a miss at 66. Ortmann ran the rack and in the final rack Immonen threw in his towel conceding the match to the new World Champion.

Ortmann covered his face with his hands in a sea of emotion. He walked back to his chair and tried to wipe the tears from his eyes.

"Oliver is a champion. I even admitted before the match, that I think he is the greatest straight pool player in the world", said Immonen in his speech. he added humorously, "Maybe I jinxed myself!"


World #1 Immonen was gracious in acknowleding Ortmann's historic achievement

One of the event's promoters, Charlie Williams, made the final announcements and closing remarks from the finalists. Williams announced that this event was even more special because Ortmann's mother had been diagnosed with cancer, and this burden laid heavy on Ortmann's heart during the week. Ortmann had just finished his weeping, then lightly threw a towel at Williams as he became overwhelm with tears and emotion again.


An emotional Ortmann dedicated this win to his ailing mother fighting cancer

"As Charlie was saying, this World Championship is very special to me. My mother is fighting cancer, but we all have mothers and we know sometimes this is part of life," said Ortmann still teary eyed." I just want to say Mika is one of the greatest in the world, and it is an honor to have this win."

"I think it's fitting Oliver has made history once again for Europeans. He was the first European to come over and make noise internationally with his win at the US Open 14.1 years ago, and now he completes a circle with a historic third World Championship. No doubt, he is one of the greatest ever. He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame", said Williams.

How will this event impact Oliver's life?

"My mom's a real fighter. I guess that's where my killer instinct comes from. She told me you've done your job, and now I will do mine and beat this thing. I really wanted to win for her this week, to give her positive energy and hope."

Ortmann asks that the billiard world prays for his mother.

5



THE STATS



THE PREDATOR 70TH WORLD TOURNAMENT
NEW JERSEY - USA
THE GROUPS
GROUP A
1 Stephan Cohen
2 Jasmin Ouschan
3 Louis Pannullo
4 Ed Moody
5 Tom Walters
6 Andy Lincoln
GROUP B
1 Mika Immonen
2 Mike Sigel
3 Zion Zvi
4 Ed Culhane
5 Jonathan Smith
6 Jim Gottier
GROUP C
1 Oliver Ortmann    
2 Max Eberle
3 Zaid Thweib
4 Bob Madenjian
5 Danny Smith
6 Michael Yednak
GROUP D
1 Johnny Archer
2 Jonni Fulcher
3 Tony Robles
4 Dan Heidrich    
5 Megan Smith
6 Peter Burrows
GROUP E
1 Thorsten Hohmann
2 Gerda Hofstatter
3 Dave Daya
4 Shaun Wilkie
5 Badi Nazhat
6 Charles Eames
GROUP F
1 Huidji See
2 Danny Barouty
3 Landon Shuffett
4 Brett Stottlemyer
5 Tom Karabotsos
6 J ames Heller
GROUP G
1 Lo Li Wen
2 Steve Lipsky
3 Chris Lynch
4 Tomiko Kumatori
5 Bobby Chamberlain
6 Nick van den Berg
GROUP H
1 Charlie Williams
2 Ralf Eckert
3 Earl Herring
4 Jeff Mohl
5 Holden Chin
6 Steve Kurtz




THE PREDATOR 70TH WORLD TOURNAMENT
NEW JERSEY - USA
THE LAST 16
Johnny Archer
200 : _15
Danny Smith
Oliver Ortmann
200 : _55
Dan Heidrich
Stephan Cohen
200 : 143
Mike Sigel
Huidji See
200 : _63
Danny Barouty
Charlie Williams
200 : 109
Zion Zvi
Thorsten Hohmann
200 : 147
Ralph Eckert
Mika Immonen
200 : _56
Lo Li Wen
Dave Daya
200 : _69
Tom Walters


THE PREDATOR 70TH WORLD TOURNAMENT
NEW JERSEY - USA
THE QUARTER FINALS
Oliver Ortmann
200 : 151
Johnny Archer
Huidji See
200 : 110
Stephan Cohen
Thorsten Hohmann
200 : 195
Charlie Williams
Mika Immonen
200 : _38
Dave Daya


THE PREDATOR 70TH WORLD TOURNAMENT
NEW JERSEY - USA
THE SEMI FINALS
Oliver Ortmann
200 : 126
Huidji See
Mika Immonen
200 : _65
Thorsten Hohmann


THE PREDATOR 70TH WORLD TOURNAMENT
NEW JERSEY - USA
THE FINAL
Oliver Ortmann
200 : _66
Mika Immonen












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