3-Cushion
LUXOR - The president of the UMB (Jean-Claude Dupont) has arrived in Luxor, Dani Sánchez has time for a day of sightseeing, the invasion of Turkish and Corean players is ongoing and the level of play steadily rises. The second day of the Luxor World Cup was a typical warm-up day, with players of long careers, short strokes, alternating luck and misfortune, years of experience in World Cups versus the discovery of an unknown world.
With play by the big guns yet to come, Kozoom spoke with six of these players from different backgrounds. The topics: their experiences in Luxor, the history of billiards and their love for the game.
Ismail El Habrouk (39) Cairo, Egypt, occupation CEO of an education centre:
,,This is my first World Cup, as I have switched from playing snooker to 3-cushion only eight months ago. I love the game, it is artistic, not limited to any age, and thanks to Farouk Barki and his team, we get the chance to play two World Cups here, and watch the great champions. That is good for the development of the sport in my country. When I look at the young Turks and Coreans, it makes me jealous. We should inspire young Egyptian players to come to these tournaments. I was a rather decent snooker player, with a highest break of 144. My first World Cup is a success already, because I've survived the first day in spite of the stress. I had the support of my wife Shahinaz Ahmed, who rooted for me.''
The Portuguese player Jorge Bastos showed up in many tournaments.
Jorge Bastos (68) from Vila Nova de Famalicao, Portugal, a retired school teacher:
,,My long history in billiards goes back to 1969, when I fell in love with this game. I was never married and am free to travel wherever I want, to go and play. This World Cup is my 30th, I've played in South Korea, Turkey, Sluiskil, the Netherlands, and so on. I often lose as a result of a two things: inability and a bit of bad luck. I've played World Cups since 2003. My best tournament was this one, the Luxor edition of last year. I simply can't get enough of 3-cushion.''
Nicky Defraeye (30) from Leuven, België, occupation accountant:
,,I have played since I was nine, in Bruges where my dad was member of a club. Two years ago I switched from the classic disciplines to 3-cushion. I want to improve my play and that is why I picked this World Cup. My next mission: beating a Korean in order to advance. If I don't, I will visit the temples with a friend in the upcoming days.''
Jaroslav Korec (53) from Gladno, Czech Republic, occupation manager:
,,Billiards is a fascinating game, and it has me hooked for 25 years now. The sport is in a difficult period in my country. I am a member of Ekritta Gladno, the country's best known club, where Radek Novak also plays. I have played twenty World Cups already, but I am nervous every single time. I have made it through my first matches, and I've beaten Jorge Bastos on a single point. I want to try and survive at least one more day in Luxor.''
Kyung Hui Oh (45) from Seoul, South Corea. Occupation: importer of billiards and materials for DS Corea, afilliated with Dani Sánchez:
,,I love to play 3-cushion, but the game is so hard. I am not that good at it. The combination of travelling and playing tournaments is great. I am already out of the tournament, so I can watch the matches and maybe do some sightseeing with the other Coreans.''
Kyung Hui Oh is well known in the World Cups