CHENGDU – Therese Klompenhouwer has won a historic gold medal at the World Games in China. The Dutch billiards player won the three-cushion final against Japan's Ayaka Miyashita 25-12. This is the first time that women's billiards has been included in the World Games, the sports for non-Olympic athletes in many disciplines. The men, with Myung Woo Cho and Sameh Sidhom playing in the final this Thursday morning, have competed for billiards medals at the World Games in previous years. Martin Horn took third place in the men's competition by defeating Quyet Chien Tran 40-39 in 26 turns thanks to runs of 8, 9, and 5. Jackeline Perez won the bronze medal in the women's competition by defeating Charlotte Sörensen 25-24 in 32 innings.
For the Netherlands, Therese Klompenhouwer's victory was the third gold medal at the World Games after Mike Schloesser's gold in archery and the Dutch korfball team's gold two days ago.
41-year-old Therese Klompenhouwer, five-time world champion in this discipline, has once again proven herself to be the best in the world at the World Games after losing two titles. Her victory in the semi-final with 25-3 in 12 innings against the current world champion, Denmark's Charlotte Sörensen, was the most impressive performance. In the final, Japan's Miyashita started with 4 (4-0), but then Klompenhouwer began her golden mission. Just before the break, the Dutch player had already turned the score around to a 15-6 lead, and in the final part she was no longer threatened. The margin was extended further to 21-11 and finally 25-12.
“I worked incredibly hard to get back to reasonable fitness in time,” Therese said after the final. “I succeeded, and that makes me proud. My determination and hard work have paid off. I really had the feeling of winning something wonderful again, and that feels amazing,” she continued. “I received a lot of reactions from all sides; my phone has exploded. There's also a lot of media attention.”
“I felt very much at home here throughout the tournament,” said Therese, who celebrated her success with Team NL members and fellow billiard players after her victory and will be honored in the athletes' village on Thursday evening. “The averages weren't very high, but I adapted well, coped with the jet lag, and continued to score well.”
The shoulder injury (frozen shoulder), which prevented her from training and playing optimally for a year, did not hinder Klompenhouwer at all. “I felt great. I was even able to play a ball left-handed in the final. On the second day that we were here, I went to the physio to have my shoulder loosened up after the long journey. After that, everything was perfect. I had a great time here and I'm incredibly happy with the gold.”
For the 43-year-old Japanese player, from the country of former world champion Orie Hida, among others, it was the first success of her career.
The final was played in the arena of the university in Chengdu, where all other billiards disciplines can also be seen, with around 300 spectators in the stands on the day of the final.
