3-Cushion
ESSEN - The recovery of Martin Horn, the billiard player who made an unfortunate fall with his bike on the 29th of August and the surgery on 4th of September, is going faster than expected. The 48-year old German player is working very hard at home and in the physiotherapy to make his come-back after the operation on his right collarbone. ''I hope to be back in four weeks, so that I can play the World Cup in Veghel one hundred percent. I try my very best to play my first match in the bundesliga against Dick Jaspers."
Kozoom spoke with the German top player the week after his operation.
Kozoom/Frits Bakker: What happened on the day that you fell with your bike?
Martin Horn: I was riding with my e-bike through the centre of Essen, very relaxed, and made a stupid miss. I lost my focus and drove into the tram rails where I lost my control. I immediately felt the pain and was taken away by ambulance a few minutes later. Luckily, it was less than one kilometre from the hospital, so I could be helped quickly.
Kozoom/FB: What did they do to you when you came in there?
Martin Horn: ''I was first transported to the Emergincy and then to the investigation room where they took x-rays. They concluded that it was a fairly complicated break. The doctor said that a surgery was necessary to repair and put a pin in my shoulder. The recovery would be much faster with a surgery. There is now a plate with screws in my shoulder that will remain there for two years.
Kozoom/FB: What does the doctor say about the time of recovery?
Martin Horn: I am not allowed to do anything during the first three or four weeks, not to drive, certainly not to cycle or play billiards. They say: good rest for six weeks, one of which is now over. I myself hope to be back after four weeks. I went to the doctor today and he said the healing is going very well.
Kozoom/FB: What have you planned for your come-back at the billiards?
Martin Horn: I can't wait for the day that I can practice again in my billiard room. Because I feel very good and I have no pain at all. Next week the stitches will be removed and we will see further how I feel then. But of course, I listen to the doctors not to take any risks.
Kozoom/FB: When will we see you again in a real match?
Martin Horn: I wrote Saturday, 5th of October in my agenda: the home match in Berlin for the bundesliga against Magdeburg with a match against Dick Jaspers. I surely have to miss the next Survival Masters in Seoul, two games in the bundesliga and three in Belgium. But I am 100 percent sure that I can participate in the World Cup in the Netherlands, Veghel.
Thank you, Martin, and on behalf of Kozoom, a speedy recovery.
Martin Horn after his last big triumph in the World Cup in La Baule
The plate in Martin's shoulder