KLAGENFURT, AUSTRIA — After 2 days of intense play, the field has narrowed down to the final 32 players in the World 8 Ball Championship, held in Klagenfurt, Austria. The competition has been nothing short of spectacular, with a series of remarkable matches and unexpected turnouts.
Austrian hometown hero Albin Ouschan, although dealt an 8-1 loss against Naoyuki Oi, displayed tremendous resilience, securing a spot in the next round via the loser’s side. Ouschan is poised to take on the formidable Shane Van Boening (SVB) in a highly anticipated showdown scheduled for Thursday at 7.30pm local time.
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Polish sensation Wiktor Zielinski, ranked 2nd in the WPA, faced a tough challenge and ultimately succumbed to Roman Hybler in a match that ended 8-1.
Defending champion Francisco Sanchez Ruiz of Spain has showcased exceptional form, conceding only a single rack in his first two matches, with scores of 8-0 and 8-1. Ruiz is resolute in his quest to retain the coveted title.
The final stage of the championship, the last 32 round, will be played with a Race to 10 format, ensuring high-stakes and riveting encounters.
In addition to the World 8 Ball Championship, the World Women’s 10-Ball Championship kicked off today. The competition promises to be fiercely competitive, as demonstrated by early matches.
Local star Jasmin Ouschan faced a formidable opponent in Silviana Lu, resulting in her battling through the losers’ bracket for a chance at redemption.
Rubilen Amit demonstrated tremendous tenacity by making a stunning comeback from a 4-6 deficit against world number 1 Chou Chieh-Yu, ultimately clinching the victory with a scoreline of 7-6.
Thursday will witness the women’s field in action again, with the winners’ qualification round commencing at 3.30pm local time (Austria).
Furthermore, Thursday marks the commencement of the World Junior Championship, starting at 10am. In this exciting event, young talents will compete in three divisions: Boys Under 17, Boys Under 19, and Girls, all showcasing their skills in 10-Ball.
The climax of all three events, Men’s, Women’s, and Juniors, will culminate on Sunday in what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to this fantastic week of pool.
With a staggering total prize fund of $400,000, including the largest prize for the champions, this championship remains one of the most lucrative in the professional pool circuit. The men’s champion will be awarded $75,000 from a field of 96, while the women’s champion will receive $50,000 from a field of 48.
The events are proudly hosted in Austria with the invaluable support of the city of Klagenfurt and the region of Carinthia, along with esteemed partners Jasmin Oushan Billiard Academy, Richwert Promotions, and Pro Billiard Series collaborators Predator, CSI, and Kamui.
All five World Championship events will be streamed live on Predator Pro Billiard Series broadcast platforms. The brand-new Pro Billiard TV YouTube channel and Billiard TV will host table 1 matches with multi-camera coverage and English commentary free to watch throughout the events. Kozoom.com will be the destination to watch every single match live. For more information follow @ProBilliardSeries on social media.