Birol Uymaz wants to make new steps

ISTANBUL - He is still one of the big talents of Turkish billiards: Birol Uymaz, 26, from Istanbul, member of the Murat Tüzül’s club. He is one of the players at the European championship, that will start off in Brandenburg next week. Birol is performing at the small ta ble with five of his compatriots (Bulut, Yüksel, Karakurt, Capak and Tüzül).

Birol Uymaz wants to gain international experience, improve his game and make new steps in his young career.

Gerard ten Lohuis, live event manager of Kozoom, met him for an interview.

GTL: Can you telll us something about yourself. Where and when were you born and did you grow up. When did you start playing billiards?
Birol Uymaz: ,,I was born in Istanbul on the 28th of May 1986. I started playing when I was 13 years old and when I had watched some tournaments in Istanbul. I was always interested, since the first day.’’
,,Then I went to university for four years, so I had less time to practice and play. I've learned most of the game by watching good players, especially Murat Tüzül and I play in his club. That certainly helps me growing in billiard.’’

GTL: What were your greatest achievements so far in your career?
BU: ,,When I was 21, in 2007, I won my first Turkish championship for juniors and one year later I took the title again. In 2011 and 2012 I was third in the Turkish Cup final. And I played three times a Grand Prix in Greece, once I was second. Furthermore, I won a Grand Prix in Turkey ''

GTL: What was your best game and highest run so far?
BU: ,,Forty points in 11 innings was my best match in a Grand Prix in Istanbul. And my highest run is nineteen.''

GTL: Do you play only in the Turkish league and tournaments?
BU: ,,For now I only play the Turkish League and the World Cups in Turkey. And I was playing in the French league in second division for a team named Jama in the season 2011/2012.''

GTL: How much do you practice?
BU: ,,Around three hours per day.''

GTL: What are your ambitions, what is your dream?
BU: ,,My dream is to become a better billiards player in the future I really would like be high in the world ranking, but that's not easy, a lot of costs are involved. The best practice is to compete with other players outside.’’

GTL: How do you prepare for the European championships in Brandenburg? Can you practice in Turkey on small tables?
BU: ,,We have no small tables in Istanbul, unfortunately. So I keep doing my  usual practice to keep myself ready for the EC. Hopefully I can arrive in Germany a bit earlier to practice some days before the start.’’

GTL: Are you going to participate in more World Cups in the future?
BU: ,,I want to, but it is not quite easy, because it is expensive to play them all. You need to be in top 12 to keep the costs low.’’

GTL: Would you like to play in other European leagues?
BU: ,,I am available to play in foreign leagues. That can give me a big grow. Players like Coklu and Tasdemir play for a Dutch team. And if it is  possible, I really would like to do the same. I’ll be honoured if I get that chance one day.’’

GTL: What is your advise to young three cushion players when the want to get better?
BU: ,,I can advise them to practice as much as possible and watch good players. And I think Kozoom is a great chance for everybody to watch the best games live and in their video store.’’