DOUAI - The record man Willy Gérimont (40), who was the best in the last French one cushion tournament, playing 17.50 on general average two months ago, now focuses mainly on the French title. He cancelled the second meeting, which is played in Douai in the north of France these days. The reason for his absence is remarkable. "My son turns three years, I prefer to be at home." The leading position on the ranking does not jeopardize his qualification in the final, he knows. The other specialists and contenders, like Bernard Villiers, Alain Remond, Johann Petit and Xavier Le Roy may battle it out for the victory.
Many of the French billiard players are known for their love of the classical games. The ranking in one cushion consists of 40 players, who regularly meet in the national tournaments. That also applies to the tournaments in the balk-line games. The pre-rounds and the final field for the Coup d'Europe for classical games mostly consists of four or five French teams with a few foreign players like Raymund Swertz, Xavier Gretillat and Raymund Swertz
Willy Gérimont's last victory in the one cushion improved the old record from Alain Remond played in Chartres in 2010 (16,00 general average) and brought to 17,50. ''We play three tournaments in a year, and with my first place in the first event, I can afford missing the second tournament'', Gérimont explains. "At the end, the top 15 of the ranking and the champion play the final."
The Frenchman from Chartres, one hour away from Paris, is playing billiards since he was 13 years old. He obtained a total of six French titles, 3 in balk-line 47/2, 2 in 71/2 and 1 in one cushion. He also became second and third in the last European championship in the disciplines one cushion and 47/2. "I am very interested in three-cushion, but at this moment, I want to improve myself in the classic games and win some main titles."
That career plan has mainly to do with his work. The French player does not have lots of time to make a switch and further develop his career. Gérimont: ''I work for the city of Chartres in the sports department, where I am in charge of organizing sporting events. And I am lucky to have manager who allow me to train two hours a day."
Gérimont has three children. ''My darling Jennifer, Emma is 13 years old, Théa 8 and Lyam 3 years old now. I cancelled the tournament, because 3 years is very important in a child's life and I really did not want to miss that. But from next week, I find my friends at the Lunel tournament in balk-line 71/2. I can't wait.''
''My progress in all games is because the work, done in recent years, has paid off. As well as my little internship this summer of a few days with my great friend Xavier Gretillat, meeting players like Sam van Etten and Raymund Swertz. A friend, Fabrice Fougerouse also accompanies me in my progress and especially my darling Jennifer let me live my billiards passion fully. So, yes, I'm in a good form.''
The main tournament that Willy Gérimont has to miss this weekend, is played with the following players:
Bernard Villiers, Alain Remond, Johann Petit, Bernard Baudoin, Xavier le Roy, Patrick Dupont, Jean Francois Florent, Olivier Jonard, Claude Bauduin, Pascal Dessaint, Benoit Deziles Legros, Jacky Justice, Etienne Desaint, Patrick Dupont, Julien Florent, Johann Girard and David Jacquet.
Willy Gérimont and his wife Jennifer