ZOERSEL - The Belgian title in women's three-cushion went to Jaimie Buelens for the seventh time this weekend. The 33-year lady equalled Danielle le Bruyn's record, whom she defeated in the final match with a record score: 27-10 in 19 innings, 1,421 for the champion, 0,526 for the runner-up. Jaimie Buelens showed her super form and finished 0,805 on overall average, which is also a new Belgian record with a best run of 7. The tournament was played in Danielle le Bruyn's billiard centre De Ploeg in Zoersel with four participants, of whom Danielle finished second, Martine Goetkint third and Marie-Rose Rouffa fourth.
Jaimie Buelens commented on her wonderful play in the final match: ''I was completely in my own bubble with excellent concentration. And I had a good feeling at the table. I had control over my nerves, which allowed me to deliver such a performance. The training and coaching ensured that I could play such a tournament. Very often I was able to solve difficult positions and build up to my runs. That was partly my quality, which brought me the title. I stayed calm and continued to play billiards.''
Jaimie Buelens, 34, of BC Zevenbergen, won her Belgian titles in 2009, then five years in a row from 2014 to 2018 and this weekend her last so far. She defeated Martine Goetkint successively with 27 in 36 innings, Marie-Rose Rouffa in 35 innings, Danielle le Bruyn in the regular schdule with 27-17 in 44 and finally in the golden match 27-10 in 19.
Kozoom had a short interview with the champion:
Kozoom/Frits Bakker: It is an extremely strong championship of Belgian ladies, what is your explanation for the good play?
Jaimie Buelens: A lot of training with teammates from the own club who play higher on the match table, that's an important reason. Furthermore, the matches in the competition, both in Belgium and in the Netherlands. Above all, the support of my family, mother, partner Shirley and friends. But also my star in the sky, my father, whom I lost two years ago. They have given me support and courage. Finally, the coaching I had two years ago and, after Corona, the coaching of my brother and Rudy Persyn, before my matches both by phone and verbally. They have given me the strength to continue after difficult periods in my life.
Kozoom/FB: Are you a fully professional player actually, or do you have work?
Jaimie: I would really like to become a professional, but the opportunity has not come yet. As a lady, I think that's not easy in Belgium. So, I work as a technical operator at Danone.
Kozoom/FB: What are your further ambitions for this year after this great result which is undoubtedly a boost?
Jaimie: My plans and prospects are: keep up training, keep learning, finish the competitions in Belgium and the Netherlands. Playing the next European Championship in Belgium, followed by the prospect of the World Championship in the Netherlands. Hope for more sponsors besides my big sponsor Biljardin. My ambitions: continuing to achieve good results in the future and to continue this line in the rest of my career.
Kozoom/FB: Do you feel you can get closer to Therese (Klompenhouwer), the undisputed best in the world?
Jaimie: If I play like my final at this championship and I can keep on making progress, there is a chance that I will come a little closer to Therese. But I stay with my two feet on the ground and as everybody knows, she is and stays a difficult opponent. I will have to grow and learn a lot more to reach her level.
Thanks for the interview, Jaimie, and thanks for the pictures Dirk Acx.
Jaimie Buelens on her way to the Belgian title in three cushion
Jaimie Buelens in front of the final score at the Belgian championship
The champion in black and white by Dirk Acx