BOOM - The most known Belgian artistic billiard player, Eric Daelman, has extended his national title in Boom. He captured his third title in a row in Belgium and his sixth title in total. With one European and one world title to his name, 57-year old Daelman is the leading player in Belgian's artistic world. The championship was organized for the first time in Boom after three years in Deerlijk (West Flanders). Eric Daelman himself was the co-organizer of this 71st Belgian championship, which was played in the beautiful arena of De Steiger.
From day one, the stands were very crowded. Eric Daelman played a tournament in which he was the best. He shot from the starting blocks with a 77.33 average, the second set with 80 percent. The other players were forced to pursue. Two other candidates for victory were Eric Vervliet Eric and Walter Bax, both of whom also won a number of Belgian titles.
After one day (40 figures), Daelman was well ahead with a total score of 79.67 percent. The first pursuer was Eric Vervliet with 70.67. Walter Bax, the European champion in 1997, was way down with 44.67. The other participants entered the battle for the other positions in the rankings.
Eric Vervliet launched himself as the main competitor, especially when Daelman had a little setback and Vervliet scored over 70. Later in the tournament, Daelman noted a poor 45.33, while Vervliet and Bax scored 72 and 77. And while Vervliet did an ultimate attempt to threaten the leader, Bax went down under the pressure.
In the last part, Eric Daelman secured his title with a great performance. The podium was therefore occupied by Eric Daelman, Eric Vervliet and Walter Bax, the three tenors of Belgian artistic billiards. Johan Grimon, who recently became Belgium's three-cushion champion for wheelchairs, finished in sixth place.
The top three: Eric Daelman, Eric Vervliet and Walter Bax
The players and the referees at the Belgian championship artistic
The final ranking at the Belgian championship:
1 Eric Daelman 68.40
2 Eric- Vervliet 63.33
3 Walter Bax 52.40
4 Danny van Schoor 43.73
5 Patrick Vloemans 42.27
6 Johan Grimon 40.93
7 Steve Wilms 30.67.
Thanks to Dirk Acx for the information and the pictures.