Lotte Department Store
Incheon
Kwang yuk si Gu-war
1455bun-ji
Korea
www.dragonpromotions.com
10-13 February 2007
Brunswick Korea Pro Tour Championships Winners Mika Immonen and Boram Cha.
Photographs courtesy of Thorsten Hohmann
Cha and Immonen Victorious on Day 4 of Korea Pro Pool Tour Championships.
Mika Immonen seemed unstoppable. Getting stronger every match, he obliterated Japan's Takano 7-1 to reach the finals. Alcano was taking on the other Japanese player, a first year rookie named Kenji Masauchi. Alcano similarly seemed destined to be in the finals as he won 7-2. So was it Alcano's destiny to defend his title in Korea...or would it be the newly motivated Immonen making his point to the world again?
Click on "Read More..." for the details.
Alcano might have made some people superstitious with a 9Ball on the break in the first game. But Immonen just laughed it off in his chair and came back with a break and run. Both players traded games and both played superbly until 3-3. Finally Mika caught a break and took the lead for the first time at 4-3. The rolls started to go sour on Alcano as Mika crept up to a 6-4 lead. Immonen seemed completely focused and supremely confident as he shot, kicked,and broke and ran his way to the hill. The final game saw Alcano push to an off angle bankshot on the 1ball. Mika looking like the player who captured the 2001 World Championships, did not hesitate in taking on the bank and fired it cross side and ran out for the win. Pumping his fist in triumph after the 9ball dropped, Mika couldn't contain his joy and satisfaction on a well played event.
Brunswick Korea Pro Tour Championships - Orcullo and Alcano eating dumplings.
Photographs courtesy of Thorsten Hohmann
"I've been working so hard on my game and training in the gym. I know this is no accident me winning here." said a jubilant Mika Immonen.
Cindy Lee, President of Dragon Promotions who produced the event commented , " Mika played the best of all the players here this week. In fact, he's won so many DP events. More than any other player combined."
Brunswick Korea Pro Tour Championships.
Photographs courtesy of Thorsten Hohmann
Immonen in 5 years time has won The US Pro Tour Championship, The Predator Florida Open, back to back UPA Atlanta Opens, Peninsula Open, Korea International Championships, and now the Korea Pro Tour Championships. All Dragon Promotions events.
Mika laughs, " Yeah, it's a little freaky. I definitely love Dragon Promotions events. Guess it helps they also manage me. I've done well in Asia and USA....maybe I'll convince them to do some European events? "
Brunswick Korea Pro Tour Championships.
Photographs courtesy of Thorsten Hohmann
An anxious TV audience arrived quickly filling up the seats to see the first semi-finals with the two Cha sisters vying to see who would advance to the finals. 21 year old Boram Cha had taken a 3 year break from pool and returning strong in her first international event in 3 years. 19 year old Yuram in those three years has risen to be #1 on tour, but had yet to win a major international title, especially a televised event. Both sisters fighting to accomplish a new height in their career.
Yuram gave her sister an easy game for Boram's first TV debut, with just the 8ball and 9ball hanging. But then Yuram turned up a notch and started playing her A game and made a great break and run. A dry break from Boram gave Yuram another great run out to take the lead 2-1. Another break and run from Yuram gave her some space away from her sister at 3-1. Boram broke and looked shaky as she missed position on the five ball and left herself a long bank on the 5 ball or potential tough safety. Boram went for the backwards cut bankshot and split the pocket perfectly and ran out to make it 3-2. Yuram would not let up an ounce though as she broke and ran the next rack again. Many strong players were watching in the audience wowed by this young woman's performance. Filipino players Ronnie Alcano and Dante Razalan looked on, laughing and shaking their head on the great shots Yuram was coming with. Boram attempted a tough draw shot off the one ball to carom nto the 9ball and almost made it but didnt have enough power to drop the 9ball, and she watched helplessly as Yuram sank the 1ball and speedily fired in the 2 - 9 combo for the win.
"She plays just as good as Kajitani(Japan's #1 woman). Difference is only experience. Maybe in one year she's better than all the women." commented World Champion Ronnie Alcano.
The women's second semi-finals was in contrast full of errors by Miyuki Sakai and Kyoko Sone. Both players made many errors and no break and runs. But Sone of Japan kept her nerve a little better than Sakai and was able to win the match 5-2 to advance to the finals.
The championship match between Cha and Sone drew a packed crowd in the arena with as many people standing as sitting. Both players playing for their country. Japans #3 Sone the more experienced and seasoned pro taking on Korea's #1 Cha, young, hungry and looking for her first major win. Yuram came out the gate strong and took the first game. Sone seemed to not be able to shake off her performance from the last match while Yuram kept up her relentless offense. 1-0, 2-0, 3-0, 4-0 in favor of Cha. It was no contest and finally Sone caught a break with Cha missing and leaving an easy 7, 8, 9 on table. Sone missed the first shot and sat while Cha quickly ran to the 9ball, took a deep breath, and fired it in the hole for the victory.
The TV networks were advertising the event as "The Last Event of Yuram Cha before She Goes to USA". Yuram didn't disappoint and will be leaving Korea with a bang.
Brunswick Korea Pro Tour Championships.
Photographs courtesy of Thorsten Hohmann
Tournament Background Details
BRUNSWICK KPT
Korea Pro Pool Tour Championships
Feb 10-13,2007
Location: Lotte Department Store -Incheon, Korea
Sponsored by : Brunswick, Lotte Department Store, Predator Cues, Aramith, and MBC ESPN, & Dragon Promotions
Starring International superstars such as Thorsten Hohmann, Mika Immonen, Charlie Williams, Dennis Orcullo, and World 9 Ball Champion Ronnie Alcano!! Women stars include Japan's beauty Miyuki Sakai and Korea's new sensation Yuram Cha !
9-Ball Event Televised on MBC ESPN
* Field comprised of 64 Men 16 Women
MEN Stage 2 Begins Feb 11
Race to 9 Winner Breaks Double Elimination
Final 16 Race to 10 Single Elimination
TV Race to 7 Alt Breaks
WOMEN Stage 2 Begins Feb 11
Race to 6 Winner breaks Double Elimination
Final (4) players Race to 7 Single Elimination
TV Race to 5 Alt Breaks
MEN Entry Fee Stage 1 : Begins Feb 10
*4 Qualifier Tournaments Single Elimination
Qualifier #1,#2,#3 will award 4 spots each into Stage 2 Qualifier #4 will award 2 Spots
entry $100 Each additional $65
WOMEN Entry Fee Stage 1 Begins Feb 10
*One Qualifier Tournament DOUBLE ELIM Race to
Final 2 Women Qualify
Entry: $100
MEN Entry Fee Stage 2
$400
WOMEN Entry Fee Stage 2
$250
Prize Money
Based on 64 Players
Men
1st $10,000 Guaranteed
2nd 4,000
3-4th 2000
5-8th 1000
9-16th 500
Women Prize Fund
Based on 16 Players
1st $3000 Guaranteed
2nd 1500
3-4th 750
5-6th 250
Televised matches will be all played on Feb 13 for MBC ESPN.
* Feb 13 Banquet at end of event with Awards ceremony
All Stage 2 Players have Free Entry to KPT Awards Dinner Banquet All others and guests can buy tickets for $20
Location:
Lotte Department store
www.lotteshoppong.com
Incheon Kwang yuk si Gu-war thingy 1455bun-ji
T : 032-450-3801~6
Hotel Info:
Royal Hotel
www.royalhotel.co.kr
Rate of $70 per night ( price includes all tax and fees)
Incheon Kwang yuk si Nam-gu Kan Seok thingy 173-4
T : 032-421-3300
For reservations at hotel please notify us at koreaprotour@yahoo.com
Details:
Airport to hotel Under one hour by bus. Dragon Promotions staff will be on hand at airport directing players to the correct bus.
Tournament Venue and Hotel about 10mins apart
Hotel will provide shuttle bus to venue during the event.
additional info:
Stage 1 will be held Feb 10
Stage 2 will start Feb 11
Feb 13 will be televised for men and women semi and finals.
Feb 13 will also be the KPT 2006 Year End Banquet where we will have a great dinner for all the players,sponsors,and honored guests. Awards will be given to the Player of the Year , Rookie of the Year, Sportsman of the Year, and Best Dressed Player. Also, the top 8 men and top 4 women in the KPT rankings will receive year end bonus money.
We will be sending official invites for stage 2 and visa letter for those who request it.
We will also be sending in the next day full details of the event with entry fee info, format and also hotel info.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if any questions that are not answered
The 2007 3rd Annual Korea Pro Tour Championships is already in the works for Nov 13-17,2007 and will have increased prize money and will pay $15,000 1st place for men.
The 4th Annual Korea International Championships is scheduled for July of 2007.
Please keep those dates and events in mind when planning for next year.