The 69-year old former World- and European Champion Artistic Léo Corin from Belgium paid a visit to the 1. BC Magdeburg Billiard Club. This very special occasion was attended by many club members from Magdeburg. It was 1964 when the Simonis company organized a promotion tour in the former East-Germany (DDR) and invited the top players in the world to give exhibitions. Decades ago it was an unique experience for West-European Sportsmen to visit this part of Germany and to meet fellow sportsmen. 47 years after this meet & greet Léo Corin was invited once again…..
Léo Corin was one of the most populair sportsmen (He even got his own postage stamp) in Belgium and won many trophies. He told the 1. BC Magdeburger club members about the time he (together with Raymond Ceulemans and Raymond Steylaerts) was asked to teach billiards to King Baudouin 1st. He also told the story about his cue which was accidently sent back to France after his arrival in Berlin in 1964. Léo, who relied on his equipment, refused to play without his own gear. It was the company Simonis who sent a ship to France to get back his cue to Berlin as quick as possible……
Léo Corin, caught on camera.
The master showed the 2011 Magdeburger crowd to be a great entertainer, demonstrated some artistic figures and chatted with almost everyone. It was a very special day for the Magdeburger club and even more special for the interpretor Margot Bannert (GER), who was able to get in touch again with Léo Corin and to see him back after 47 years.
Margot Bannert and Léo Corin.