Jasmin Ouschan
World Pool-Billiard Association
Women's Professional Billiard Association
www.wpa-pool.com
www.jasmin-ouschan.com
16 November 2006
Jasmin Ouschan
Jasmin Ouschan celebrates her WPA World Number 1 Ranking
What does it take to become the World Number 1? Jasmin Ouschan was destined for it.
Born in Austria in January 1986, her parents owned a billiard club in Klagenfurt for 20 years and she still remembers her first pool experience at the age of three. It was difficult for her to reach the pool tables, so she had her own tiny table at home, but all she ever wanted was to play on the bigger tables. At the age of six her parents spotted she had a special talent so she got her own trainer, and he is still her trainer and coach today.
Pro9 are pleased to print an exclusive interview with Jasmin, about how she started in pool, how she practices and her hopes for the future.
"Read More..." for the details.
www.Pro9.co.uk Congratulations Jasmin, I know you've been aiming for this some time, what does achieving this mean to you?
Jasmin: I think it is one of the best feelings in life when you work hard for something for so long and then finally you reach one of your goals. It is really special to us to reach the top of the world ranking but that doesn´t mean that we can lean back. Now the real work starts to achieve our further goals.
www.Pro9.co.uk Tell us a little about yourself? Where are you from, how long have you been playing? Did you ever think you were going to become a professional pool player?
Jasmin: I am from Klagenfurt/Carinthia a small city in the south of Austria. I got my own little pool table at the age of 3 and I loved it from the first second on. I started playing pool at the age of 6 and it didn´t take long till I got my own trainer Michael Neumann.
We practice a lot and he supports me in every way. We are travelling to most of the tournaments together and he also manages all my business activities.
Now we are working for nearly 15 years together and we are the best team. I consider myself as very lucky that I get him.
I love this sport and I knew since I was little that I want to become a professional pool player. That was always my goal and I worked really hard to make this dream happen.
www.Pro9.co.uk Where and for how long do you practice? Do you practice anything in particular or just play?
Jasmin: Well when you want to become a good pool player then you have to practice and play, that´s the way to bring your game to the next level. I start in the morning with 30min. of mental training and then I go right to the table to have my morning session for about 2 ½ hours. In the morning session I mostly play drills and work on my basis.
After this session I go to the gym for 2 hours where I do a lot for my condition and muscles. Our tournament schedule is pretty full so it is very important for me to be in a good shape. In the evening there is another practice session for max. 2 hours but then with my trainer where we concentrate on one or two special things.
In the restaurant of my family there is also a pool club and that is the club where I practice all the time. Sometimes we practice on other tables as well because for us it is very important that we learn how to adjust to different table conditions and how the balls react differently on the tables.
www.Pro9.co.uk You often play in traditionally "male" tour events, do you think men and women can compete on an even level at this game or do you use it for the experience?
Jasmin: Well my trainer and myself always knew if I want to get better and get more experienced in the game then I have to play with the best and that means with the men. So I already played a lot of men tournaments when I was little. I think it is awesome that we are in a sport where no difference are between men and women or actually there shouldn´t be a difference. So, yes I think women can also play as well as the men because it is not a physical sport.
Right now the men are better but I want to show that a woman can play as well as the men because the balls, the cloth and the table don´t know that I am a woman.
www.Pro9.co.uk Do you have a "normal" job too or are you a full time pool player?
Jasmin: Right now I am a full time pool player and I put all my energy and concentration on the sport. My average day is like I said before 3 times of practice and mental training and the rest of the day I have normal stuff to do, like working a bit on my homepage and try to meet some friends. Beside my job at the table I graduate last year a 1 year university course for sport instructors and give trainings and make a lot of trick-shot shows.
www.Pro9.co.uk Do your sponsors pay for you to attend all these tournaments all over Europe?
Jasmin: Well I receive good support from my local
sponsors and government support but of course we are always open for new sponsorship. We have good offers but because of the fact that we travel worldwide (this year it was more than 50.000 miles in airplane) we are looking for a worldwide partnership.
www.Pro9.co.uk OK, so you're the World Number One now... What will you do now and what is your next target?
Jasmin: Of course I will try to defend my Nr.1 position as good as I can. Our next and last big tournament for this year are the All Japan Championships in Osaka and then I have enough time to concentrate on practicing and relaxing so that I am in a good shape for next year. My targets for next year are to play more men tournaments, the title at the World Championships and the triple at the European Championships.
www.Pro9.co.uk Congratulations once again Jasmin and thank you for your time.
Jasmin: Thank you for the interview and if you want to know more just visit me at www.jasmin-ouschan.com.
PROFILE
Name: Jasmin Ouschan
Date of Birth: 10. January 1986
Place of Birth: Klagenfurt/Kärnten, Austria
Family: Evelin & Albin (parents), Albin jun. (brother)
Nickname: Jassy
Colour of hair: Dark blonde
Colour of eye's: Green
Sign of Zodiac: Capricorn
Favorite color: Blue
Music: R´n B, Pop and Hip Hop
Favourite food: Italian and mexican food
Favourite drinks: Orange juice, Ice-tea, Sprite
Hobbies: Sport/Fitness, Movies, fast cars
ACHIEVEMENTS
2006
5th at the Straight Pool Men World Championships 2006 in New Jersey
BCA Open Champion 2006 in Las Vegas
2 times Women European Champion 2006 (14/1 and 8 Ball)
3rd at the Women World Championships 2006 in Taipei/Taiwan
5th at The Norwegian 9-Ball Challenge
2005
Youth Worldchampion 2005
2 times Women European Champion 2005 (9 Ball and Straight Pool)
Winner of the World Games 2005 in Duisburg/Germany
7th at the Amway Cup in Taiwan 2005
9th at the BCA Open in Las Vegas 2005
5th at the Women World Championships 2004/Rankweil/AUT
1st at the Women Euro Tour in Sindelfingen/GER 2005
2004
Runner up at the Youth World Championships 2004
9th at the Juniors World Championships in Willingen/GER 2003
7th at the Cuetec Cue National 9 Ball Championships 2002
1st at the Amateur Nationals 2002
9th at the Junior World Championships in Osaka/Japan 2001
Jasmin plays her first match today at the All Japan Open - one of only two European ladies at the event (Line Kjoersvik is the other), you can follow her fortunes with results at http://onthehill2006.seesaa.net/article/27478302.html
