OOSTERHOUT – The new year is just getting underway when the Diamonds Dutch National three-cushion championship for ladies is played at De Eekhoorn in Oosterhout on January 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Sixteen women compete in the preliminary rounds in the campsite's familiar arena, with four players per group. The main tournament will then feature the seeded contenders: Therese Klompenhouwer, Karina Jetten, Monique van Exter and Joke Martijn. The juniors in two classes follow a week later at Cues&Darts in Tilburg, battling for the national three-cushion tricolor on January 10th and 11th. Therese Klompenhouwer, who celebrates her 43rd birthday that Saturday, January 3rd, has won 17 national titles in a short period. The Dutch queen won her first in 2004 and has since won it continuously from 2009 to 2024. That streak was interrupted by Karina Jetten last year, when Therese took silver.

The junior title holder is Joris van 't Zelfden, who won ahead of Luca Philipoom. Tom Slikker has passed the age limit and completed his junior career. The new generation is led in the highest division (under 25) by last year's two finalists. Zeeland native Joris van 't Zelfden is already building an international career.

Joeri Wilkowski (14) and Jayden van Buren (13) are the young duo among the contenders in the youngest division. Six players compete in both divisions.

Therese Klompenhouwer is the absolute routined player in this championship. Her biography states, among other things, that she first played billiards at the age of eight with her slightly older brother Jarno. Many titles later, she is the figurehead now of women's billiards. This year, Therese reclaimed her world title, and in the coming period, she will also be pursuing two other titles, which she holds a patent on. First, the Dutch championship (Karina champion), then the European championship in Antalya, with Charlotte Sörensen defending the title.

The four players who qualified for the National Championships will start on Saturday, after sixteen players in four groups have competed in the preliminary rounds. Among the women, two debutants are noted: Ponciana Wezenpoel and Annelies Criellaard. Marieke Jonkergouw from Tilburg is participating in the championship for the first time in years. Of the well-known women, Daisy Werdekker and Mirjam Pruim have not registered.

Among the juniors in the 18-25 age group, Joris van 't Zelfden and Luca Philipoom are the players with good chances to win the title. Xavier Siahaja is competing for a podium finish for the last time, as this is his last time at this National Championship. Daan Karsenberg, son of the owner of Bousema, Dylan Sanders, and Miquel de Kleine (nephew of Anno de Kleine) are the debutants under 17. The junior teams, play on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM, with the last matches at 6:30 PM on Saturdays and 3:30 PM on Sundays, are:

Under 17:

Joeri Wilkowski

Jayden van Buren

Teun van Bokhoven

Levi van der Hout

Daan Karsenberg

Dylan Sanders

Under 25:

Joris van ’t Zelfden

Luca Philipoom

Xavier Siahaja

Miquel de Kleine

Gilano Vloedmans

Sean van Buren

Women's Preliminary Rounds:

Group A:

Ineke Kooistra

Sandra Sterk

Natasja Damen

Jeannette Habraken

Group B:

Sylvia Eckel

Hanny Hultermans

Petra Lips

Ponciana Wezepoel

Group C:

Gerrie Wierstra

Andrea Hofman

Pauline Beersma

Marieke Jonkergouw

Group D:

Jetty Beersma

Chantal Arntz

Sabine Bakker

Annelies Crielaard

On Saturday, Therese Klompenhouwer, Karina Jetten, Monique van Exter and Joke Martijn will be joining for the final day.

Karina Jetten, defending title holder in the ladies

Joris van 't Zelfden, the last junior champion in Holland