The Belgian billiard public has seen a very young talent this afternoon. He is only seventeen, his name is Andy de Bond, he is a student economy and is from Edegem near Antwerp.
He had already shown his skills in the past days at the championships, when he tied to Martin Janssen with a run of 238 (400-400). This afternoon the youngest player by far defeated the three cushion specialist and number two at the last World championship: Eddy Leppens.
Andy de Bond started play billiard when he was six years en when his father was not at home. ,,My father had a match table and I waited until he was gone. Then I took his cue and began to play a bit. That's how I learned it. In my youth I also played soccer for a long times, but I had to choose when I was eleven years. And I started playing billiard, also because I had suffered an injury.''
His teacher is Willy Wezenbeek, a former player in balkline, who has shone in European tournaments. ,,He's the best I've seen so far, a teacher with an incredible technique.''
Andy is playing three cushion now to make a little further development. ,,I play in the fourth class, but for now I give priority to the serie games. My promotion to the highest class in free game was actually a surprise. I had to play my last six hundred points in four innings. And I did it, I played my two matches of three hundred caroms both in two innings.''
Tomorrow he plays his last match in Blankenberge. ,,My tournament is already a success for me, because for a debut, you are pretty nervous. I started not very good, but the match with Eddy Leppens I felt great. I played without any pressure. He is the vice world champion three cushion, that of course gives me a wonderful feeling.''