LOMMEL - The oldest of two Parent brothers, Michael, is a student at the university, the two years younger Dylan wants to become an automotive engineer. They both play billiards from their 11th year, first in the Damprémy club, nowadays for Zanzibar in Leuven. Dylan and Michael Parent finished on top of the qualification groups at the junior tournament in Lommel on Wednesday afternoon. They meet each other in the final between the quarter finals of the seniors on Friday.
Dylan Parent (17) remained unbeaten with 1.052 of average and is therefore the favourite for the final win. Michael Parent (19) finished more or less surprisingly ahead of Stef van Hees in his group after a mutual draw.
Both brothers, from a family of four (three boys, one girl), grew up near Charleroi. ,,We often heard stories about billiards within our family," explains Dylan. ,,We both were very interested, especially when we heard the stories about Raymond Ceulemans. And actually, we started playing ourselves very soon. Pol Strobants is our teacher. We have a four-hour practice from him every two weeks.''
Dylan Parent wants to be the best junior in Belgium and later perform at the level of top players like Frédéric Caudron, Eddy Merckx and Eddy Leppens. He realizes, of course, that there is still a long way to go. ,,We want to keep on playing billiards in the future and not, like most young boys, quit after junior education and choose another hobby.''
Michael Parent grabbed the final victory in Group A by a draw against Stef van Hees in 36 innings (20-20). That match was decisive for a place in the final. Stef van Hees was the favourite regarding his results, including wins against Cédric De Meulmeester with 0.800 and against Gérome Dieu with 0.714. That match also ended in a draw.
Michael won his matches against Cédric De Meulmeester 20 in 29 and Gérome Dieu 20 in 40.
Stef van Hees finished second with four match points, ahead of Gérome Dieu with three points and Cédric De Meulmeester without points.
The ranking in Group A:
1 Michael Parent 5-0.571-5
2 Stef van Hees 4-0.674-4
3 Dieu Gérome 3-0.527-5
4 Cédric de Meulmeester 0-0.226-2.
Dylan Parent was the only player in Group B who finished all his matches with twenty points. He beat Kenny Vander Mierde in 17, Nino Coeckelbergs in 26 and Tim van Hoeck in 15 innings. Kenny Vander Mierde finished second with 4 match points and two wins in 16 in 40 innings.
The final ranking in Group B:
1 Dylan Parent 6-1.052-6
2 Kenny Vander Mierde 4-0.453-4
3 Nino Coeckelbergs 2-0.301-3
4 Tim van Hoeck 0-0.273-3.
Only the two stage winners play the final on Friday.
Frédéric Caudron is the referee in a junior match