New Corporate Sponsorship for Season Three of the Canadian 9-Ball Tour

Posted by admin as Billiard Tour News - Stan James Canadian Tour

New Corporate Sponsorship for Season Three of the Canadian 9-ball Tour
Chapters Indigo and Cineplex Entertainment get behind billiards in Canada

Oakville, ON, August 1, 2007 - Q Sport Media is pleased to announce that Chapters Indigo Bookstores and Cineplex Entertainment have joined forces to promote the sport of billiards in Canada through the Canadian 9-ball Tour. Chapters Indigo Bookstores is Canada’s largest retail chain of book stores and Cineplex Entertainment is Canada’s largest theatre exhibition company.
“This partnership of corporate giants with the Canadian 9-ball Tour will undoubtedly change the face of pool in Canada. I am delighted to make this formal announcement and am excited at how this development will change the horizon for the future of our sport” says Jim Wych, founder and promoter of the Canadian 9-ball Tour. “I’ve always felt that billiards truly offers a broad demographic appeal to corporate Canada and that it would only take one big name company to step up to the plate to establish this fact. Now, hopefully other corporate entities will recognize the untapped benefits that being associated with cue sports offers and billiards can take the step to the next level.”
Another new sponsor this year is Dufferin Billiards who have manufactured a “limited edition” pool cue designed exclusively for the Canadian 9-ball Tour. A limited number of these special edition cues will be available through the official tour website or from Dufferin Billiards retail outlets in Canada, FG Bradleys at FGBradleys.com.
Stan James Sports Bookmakers, Canada Billiard Bowling, Simonis cloth and Aramith Billiard Balls continue their on-going support of the Canadian 9-ball Tour as contributing sponsors.
Year three of the Canadian 9-ball Tour will see an increase from 6 events to 8 events, with an added increase in prize money in each tournament from “$5,000 added” to “$10,000 added”.
This season will also see the doors open up for American participation as international players will be allowed to compete for the first time.
Please visit the official Canadian 9-ball Tour website at Canadian9balltour.com for all tour related information.

Tan and Joven Champs at KIA Motors Korea International Championships

Posted by admin as Billiard Tour News - Pool Tour News

Tan and Joven Champs at KIA Motors Korea International Championships

Billiard Players from Japan, Philippines, USA, Hong Kong, Guam, and Korea joined the 4th Annual KIA Motors Korea International Championships. This event was originally the first ever international pocket billiards event in Korea which has lead to the pool boom in Korea being lead by Dragon Promotions.

The steady improvement by the Korean players was evident once again as early favorites Charlie Williams, Filipino Carlo Biado, and Joven Bustamente all faced early defeats on the winners sides at the hands of the South Koreans. Defending champion Hisashi Kusano (JPN)cruised through to the final 16 re-draw with ease as did Japan’s Hiroshi Takenaka and Go Takami. Steadily improved player Lee Chenman of Hong Kong went unscathed through the winner’s side as well.

For the first time in Korean billiards history, a woman was allowed to play in the men’s pro event. Yu Ram Cha had her stamina tested as she played 4 back to back matches with no breaks. Cha drew Taiwan’s #1 woman’s ranked player Hsiang Ling Tan and won a tough 7-5. Cha then went onto play #12 Japan Ranked Hayato Hijikata. Coincidentally, Cha and Hijikata are the reigning Boys and Girls World 10-ball Champion respectively. Cha crushed Hijikata 9-4 and then went on to play against Korea’s #4 Woman’s player Yun Mi Lim and defeated her 7-1 in 20 minutes. Cha next played former #1 Korean Woong Dae Kim and was at 6-6 went Kim eventually broke away and won the match 9-7. An impressive performance by the young 19 year old female.

This will be great for her game(Cha) but I’m not sure if the men like it. I sense fear in many of them when they have to face her. commented Myung Jin Kim, General Manager of Dragon Promotions Korea.
On Sunday the XTM televised rounds, Tan struggled against Japan’s #2 Kawahara 7-5 then cruised controlled through to the final four. She then defeated Bo Ram Cha 6-3 in the semi-finals. The fans were expecting a re-match with Yu Ram and Tan but Korea’s Yun Mi Lim came back for a revenge match against Cha. Cha made several errors early on and allowed Lim to gain a sizable lead. Cha had a few opportunities but Lim was able to close out the match at 6-3. The finals was no contest as Tan breezed through Lim 6-3 for the title.
On the men’s side, Filipino young aces Biado and Bustamente caught their second wind and was wiping out their opponents. In the last 16, Biado eliminated Taiwan’s Po Hsien Lee and then destroyed Takenaka while Joven won 10-7 battle against Chenman. . In the semi-finals, Korea’s #5 Won Sik Ham fell to Takami 7-5 in his first TV match. Joven then eliminated Biado 7-3 and put himself in his first televised finals. The finals saw Joven Bustamente fluid and confident as he controlled Takami from start to end. Takami had no answer for Joven and fell 7-3.

I want to thank Bugsy Promotions for bringing me here and thanks to all the sponsors of this event. said the mild mannered Joven Bustamente after shaking hands and receiving the trophy from CJ Media Vice President Richard Shim.