Feature Articles: Bios for the World Pool Masters
Posted by: editor on Thursday, August 07, 2003 - 10:57 AM EST

Bios for the World Pool Masters   Steve Davis – England Age -    45 Based -   Brentwood, Essex, England Nickname -  Romford Slim Hobbies -  Chess, Golf, Computers Years Playing -  Snooker professional since 1978, pool since the early 90’s Achievements - Six World Snooker Championships as well as over 70 major titles. In pool, a quarter-finalist at the 2000 World Championship. Nine Mosconi Cup appearances and the man who sunk the winning ball in 2002. Runner-up in 2001 World Pool League. A legend in the world of cue sports, Davis dominated snooker for a ten year period in the 1980’s, making himself a multi-millionaire in the process. Whilst he still plays top level snooker, Davis has turned his attention to 9-ball pool where he is now a feared and respected player among the world’s elite. A notoriously slow-starter in pool tournaments, Davis needs to find his stroke as the tournament progresses. A place in the 2001 World Pool League final indicates that he has what it takes to compete with the best. Davis is still very popular in the UK where he appears regularly o­n a variety of TV shows. He is also o­ne of the main presenters o­n BBC TV snooker productions. Performed superbly at the 2002 Mosconi Cup and his doubles partnership with Nick van den Berg was a big success. Visit InsidePOOL for the latest news from the world of billiards and pool. Ralf Souquet – Germany Age -    34 Based -   Manching, Germany Nickname -  The Kaiser Hobbies -  Borussia Monchengladbach, Cinema, Music Years Playing -  A pro for 12 years Achievements - 1996 World Pool Champion, 39 time German Champion, 31 time European Champion (multi-disciplined), 2001 World Pool Championship runner-up, 2 time World Pool Masters Champion, reigning US Open and BCA Open champion. 2002 Mosconi Cup winner. One of the backbones of the European pool scene over the last decade, the Kaiser has won all the top honours the game has to offer. He currently holds both US Open and BCA Open titles – the two biggest events in the USA. Ralf has been a regular in the European Mosconi Cup side over the years and it is was o­ne of his crowning moments when he helped lift the trophy last December. Souquet’s record in the Masters is superb – he has won it three times; four if you go back to the days when it was known as the European Masters. The Kaiser has a very methodical approach to the game and is very reliable, even under extreme pressure. He is a very tough competitor and he will be o­ne of the favourites in August. Francisco Bustamante – Philippines Age -    38 Based -   Kiel, Germany and Tarlac, Philippines Nickname -  Django Hobbies -  Shopping, travel Years Playing -  Since a child Achievements - 2002 Japan Open Champion, 2002 IBC World Tour Munich Champion, 2002 World Pool Championship runner-up, 2001 World Pool Masters Champion, 2002 Motolite World 9-Ball Challenge Champion, plus numerous career titles in Europe and Asia. One of the true superstars of world pool, Bustamante has been a constant winner throughout his career with victories in Europe, Asia and the USA. Having a successful 2002, Busta met with heartbreak in July of last year, when o­n the eve of his last 16 match at the World Championship in Cardiff, he learned of the death of his eight month old daughter back in the Philippines. Django captured the pool world’s hearts as he bravely battled o­n winning that match and then quarter and semi-finals before losing by a narrow margin to Earl Strickland in the final. This year in Cardiff he made it through to the last 8, before losing narrowly to eventual champion Thorsten Hohmann. A very friendly man, Bustamante is universally liked in the pool and will be a popular player in Holland.   Rico Diks – Holland Age -    27 Based -   West London Nickname -  Ricochet Hobbies -  Music Years Playing -  A pro over ten years Achievements - 2001 European 9-Ball Champion, Currently ranked No.7 in Europe, last 32 at 2002 World Championship Diks has been a top ranking European player for the best part of a decade; he in fact played in the inaugural Masters tournament in 1993 as a seventeen year old. Despite nearly ten years of trying Diks, has yet to complete his maiden victory o­n the highly competitive Euro Tour, although winning the European Championship in 2001 certainly confirmed his credentials. He made it through to the last 32 of last year’s World Championship with a string of good wins but this year fell at the round of 64, suffering a 9 – 8 heartbreak defeat to American Teddy Garrahan. Diks currently resides in West London where he is pursuing his musical career as lead singer with alt rock band called Amigdela. (www.amigdela.com)   Nick Van Den Berg – Holland Age -    23 Based -   Amsterdam, Holland Nickname -  El Niňo Hobbies -  Computers, movies, swimming Years Playing -  3 years a pro Achievements - Currently ranked No.3 in Europe, Winner 2002 Dynamic Austrian Open, member of the winning 2002 European Mosconi Cup side. A relative newcomer to the European tournament scene, baby-faced Van Den Berg was the in-form Dutchman last year. In a country that boasts the likes of Alex Lely, Niels Feijen and Rico Diks, Nick has done well to emerge from tough competition. A regular competitor o­n the Euro Tour, Van Den Berg had his maiden victory in April 2002, when he won through a strong field to defeat Finland’s Marko Lohtander in the championship match at the Austrian Open in Salzburg.  Van den Berg’s Top Two position o­n the Euro Tour rankings last October got him a spot o­n the Mosconi Cup team and despite his inexperience, he played like a seasoned veteran to help Europe to their first win for seven years. His most recent appearance was at the World Championship in Cardiff where he went out to living legend Efren Reyes in a 9 – 8 thriller. Alex Lely – Holland Age -    29 Based -   The Hague, Holland Nickname -  The Plague from the Hague Hobbies -  Socialising, friends, sports Years Playing -  5 years a pro Achievements - 1999 World Masters Champion, 1999 German Open Champion, 1999 Mosconi Cup representative, Silver Medal Straight Pool 2000 European Championships, runner-up Finnish Open 2002, 9th place 2002 World Pool Championship One of the Europe’s better player’s over the past five years, Lely first came to prominence when he beat Efren Reyes to win the World Pool Masters at his first attempt in 1999. The following year he o­nce again made it to the final where Ralf Souquet got the better of him. Alex is always good value and last year at the World Pool Championship he had a great run, reaching the last 16 with some fine wins including a 9 – 1 thrashing of current World Snooker Champion Mark Williams. Lely went o­ne better this year, reaching the last 16 before going out 11 – 5 to dour Korean Shin-young Park. Alex is a former international rugby player and will be looking to recapture his 1999 form come August.   Niels Feijen – Holland Age -    26 Based -   The Hague, Holland Nickname -  The Terminator Hobbies -  DJ, fitness Years Playing -  10 years pool, 15 snooker Achievements - 2002 & 2003 European Straight Pool Champion, 2001 Finnish Open Champion, 2001 World Pool Championship Quarter-Finalist, Runner-up Tokyo 9-Ball 2001, 5th place 2001 US Open Niels had a great year in 2001 when he reached the last eight at the World Championship, including a great win over Efren Reyes. He followed that up by coming second to Reyes at the world’s richest 9-ball tournament in Tokyo, winning over US $65,000. Feijen is a real cool customer, ably demonstrated in 2000 when he shot to pool fame with a sensational come-from-behind win over Francisco Bustamante at the World Championship. When he gets going he is pretty much unstoppable. Feijen had a great European Championship earlier this year, retaining his 14.1 title. Niels recently ran 14 consecutive racks in a practise match in Holland, a staggering feat bettered o­nly by o­ne or two players. The club DJ from the Hague will be making his Masters debut in August and will be looking to bring a lot of fans with him. Mika Immonen – Finland Age -    30 Based -   New York, USA Nickname -  The Iceman Hobbies -  Running, roller blading, reading Years Playing -  A full-time pro for 8 years Achievements - Winner of inaugural Euro Tour event 1992, Taipei Peace Cup Champion 1996, 2001 World Pool Champion, Sudden Death 7-Ball Champion 2000, 2003 LG Flatron Challenge winner in Manila. Many Finnish and European Championship wins. Despite being o­ne of the top European players through the second half of the 90’s, Mika came into his own in 2001, when he won the World Pool Championship in Cardiff after playing perfect pool for a week. Despite now living in New York, that win elevated Immonen’s profile enormously in his home country. Immonen followed up his World Championship win with a second place finish at the US Open that year, o­ne of the toughest tournaments in the world. Mika, Ralf Souquet and Thorsten Hohmann are now the top dogs of European pool. Immonen now carries the ‘fear factor’ associated with World Champions and o­n his day he will beat anyone. Emotionless at the table, ‘the Iceman’ is playing in fifth Masters and is due a good run.  Earl Strickland - USA Age -    43 Based -   Greensboro, North Carolina Nickname -  ‘The Pearl’ Hobbies -  Golf, tennis and running Years Playing -  23 years Achievements - Three Times World Pool Champion (’90, ’91 & 2002), Five Times US Open winner, 1997 World Pool Masters Champion, Over 100 career titles around the world. Strickland’s fantastic performance last summer in winning the World Pool Championship reaffirmed his position as o­ne of the great pool players of the modern era. Always trailing in the race to 17 final against Francisco Bustamante, Earl held his nerve for a classic 17 – 15 win. Strickland also holds the Mosconi Cup record for most points won, something he is very proud of. Strickland’s love / hate relationship with pool crowds around the world always makes for great entertainment as at times he struggles to control his temperament. His recent last 16 match v Steve Davis at the World Pool Championship was a case in point as rowed with spectators and the referee. Earl went o­n to reach the semi-finals for the 3rd time in four years. A winner of a record five US Open titles, as a shot-maker Strickland is up there with the all-time greats. Expect fireworks from o­ne of pool’s fiercest competitors. Efren Reyes – Philippines Age -    49 (by August 29) Based -   Angeles City, Philippines Nickname -  ‘Bata’ and The Magician Hobbies -  Chess, movies Years Playing -  Started playing for money in 1984 Achievements - 1999 World Pool Champion, 1994 US Open Champion, World Pool League Champion 2001 & 2002, winner 2003 Mid-Atlantic Championship, winner San Miguel Asian 9-Ball Tour Championship, Manila. Plus many career wins all over the world. Reyes is something of a living legend in his home country of the Philippines where he is o­ne of their highest profile sportsmen. His 1999 World Championship victory live o­n TV, elevated pool into the major league and saw Reyes become a national celebrity, starring in TV adverts for San Miguel Beer and McDonalds among others. Now 49 years-old, Efren’s talent shows no signs of abating. Although some say he is not the player he o­nce was, he is still o­ne of the top players in the world and is a regular tournament winner in the highest class. A big win last year of $50,000 in the USA showed that when there is big money o­n the table, Reyes comes into his own. Despite his success, Reyes remains as modest as ever and is a highly popular figure among his fellow professionals.  Hui-kai Hsia – Chinese Taipei Age -    28 Based -   Kaohsiung, Taiwan Nickname -  ‘The Assassin’ Hobbies -  Jogging and reading Years Playing -  14 years Achievements - San Miguel Asian Tour, Singapore leg Champion, 2003 World All-Stars Champion, 2002 Asian Games 9-Ball Champion, 2001 World Games 9-Ball Champion, 2002 World Pool Championship Semi-Finalist, 2003 World Pool Championship Quarter-Finalist Twice the World Junior Pool Champion, Hsia has been o­ne of the top players in the world for the best part of a decade. This year he reached the quarter-finals of the World Pool Championship with a string of fine performances including a 9 – 0 thrashing of World Snooker Champion Mark Williams. Inexplicably, Hsia was not nominated by his home country and had to win through in the event’s tough qualifying tournament. Away from pool Hsia is married and has an 11 year old son. He also works as a sports science teacher in his home town of Kaohsiung in the south of the island. This is Hsia’s first attempt at the Masters and he could prove highly dangerous. Alex Pagulayan – Canada Age -    25 Based -   Toronto, Canada Nickname -  The Lion Hobbies -  Playing cards Years Playing -  A full-time pro for 5 years Achievements - Runner-up 2003 World Pool Championship, runner-up 2002 US Open, Joss Tour Grand Final Winner, runner-up 2003 IBC Western Canadian Open, runner-up 2003 Reno Open, 3rd place 2002 World Pool Masters. Describing himself as ‘loud and short’, Alex the Lion is a welcome addition to any pool tournament and is o­ne of the games crowd-pleasers. Although Canadian, Pagulayan was born in the Philippines and is considered by the Filipinos to be o­ne of their own. Pagulayan has yet to win a big tournament but has had plenty of good finishes in major international competitions including runners-up spots the 2003 World Championship and the US Open within ten months of each other. Makes up with flair what he lacks in dedication, Alex is capable of beating any player at the Masters providing he can keep his head in the right place for the duration of the tournament. Another of pool’s great party animals!     Tony Drago – Malta Age -    37 Based -   London, England and Valletta, Malta Nickname -  Tornado Tony Hobbies -  Having fun Years Playing -  18 years, 9-Ball for 7 Achievements - Bronze medallist at 2003 World Pool Championship, Winner 1997 China Snooker Masters Invitational, First ever 147 break in the B&H Qualifiers. Although better known as a snooker player, Tony is also a 9-Ball pool fanatic and plays in as many tournaments as he can. An unbelievable run at the 2003 World Pool Championship saw the good-natured man from Malta go all the way to the semi-finals. Despite being unfancied, that performance put Drago right up there as a pool player. As in snooker, Drago’s style is quick-fire, something that works for him when he is o­n a roll but due to the more cerebral nature of the game, can let him down at critical moments. Prior to this summer, Tony had o­ne or two major scalps to his name; he KO’d Bustamante from the 2001 World Championships. Brimming with confidence, Tony has now moved to from danger man to a serious contender and is capable of beating anyone here in the race to eight, winner breaks format. Thorsten Hohmann – Germany Age -    24 Based -   Fulda, Germany Nickname -  The Hitman Hobbies -  Sports, swimming, music Years Playing -  Many years, just turned full-time pro Achievements - 2003 World Pool Champion, Winner IBC Tour Stop, May 02, 3rd Place Final IBC World Rankings, 02, 2nd Euro Tour events, June 03, many German and European titles. On the  evening of Sunday 20th July 2003, Thorsten Hohmann became pool’s overnight sensation as took the 2003 World Pool Championship as a rank outsider. Over the past decade German pool has been dominated by Ralf Souquet and Oliver Ortmann, but now the name of Thorsten Hohmann can stand along side them. Thorsten showed good form last year in international events and a five year spell in the sports division of the German Army honed his skills to a sharp edge. Now he is a ‘name’ and the invites to the big tournaments will surely follow. The question maybe is whether Hohmann is a ‘flash in the pan’ but anyone who witnessed his exploits in Cardiff in July would very much doubt that. This is Thorsten’s first Masters appearance and he could be a good bet to go all the way to the final.   Tom Storm - Sweden Age -    38 Based -   Borlange, Sweden Nickname -  ‘The Storm’ Hobbies -  Billiards, horse racing and my family Years Playing -  15 years Achievements - Runner up 1996 World Pool Championship, 2003 Euro Tour Belgium Open Champion, Runner-up 2002 Euro Tour Netherlands Open 2002, Multiple European and Swedish Championship wins. At 38 Tom is a veteran of the European pool scene, having captured the European Junior Straight Pool Championship way back in 1983 as a teenager. Tom’s first senior title was the European 9-Ball Championship which he won in 1987, and since then he has won numerous titles in Europe. Although Tom’s form dropped away in  the last 90’s, he is enjoying something of a rebirth o­n the Euro Tour where he is currently ranked the No.1 European player following tournament wins in Belgium among other places. Away from pool, Tom is big o­n pony trotting races and he works at a children’s school in his home town.  Tom was a previous semi-finalist in this event in 1995 and ’96. Niclas Bergendorff – Sweden Age -    39 Based -   Stockholm, Sweden Hobbies -  Horse racing, Swedish art Years Playing -  11 years a pro Achievements - Current Swedish 9-Ball Champion, Euro Tour winner Netherlands Open, September 02, Euro Tour winner Austrian Open, June 03. Triple European Champion. One of the unsung stars of the European scene over the past decade. Niclas makes his Masters debut courtesy of some stellar performances o­n the Euro Tour where he is currently ranked No.2. Bergendorff has tended to take second spot in Sweden over the years to Tom Storm and latterly Marcus Chamat, but he has enough ability and resolve to step out of their shadows and win something big. Niclas has won two of the last four Euro Tour and that is a boast o­nly the likes of Ralf Souquet could make. Aside from pocket billiards Bergendorff works at the Stockholm Stock Market.