Five new WPA World Champions were crowned yesterday in Austria as Klagenfurt played host to over 200 billiards stars from around the world, with $400,000 on the line.
Men World 8-Ball: American Shane Van Boening claimed his maiden Predator WPA World 8-Ball Championship title and $75,000 first prize, solidifying his legacy with a 10-7 victory over the talented Sanjin Pehlivanovic from Bosnia Herzegovina.
“A lot of emotion going inside me and I’m really happy”, said Van Boening. “8-Ball has been my favorite game by far during my whole career. And I’m just happy to be the champion of the world today”
After pocketing the final 8-Ball to clinch the title, Van Boening took it home: “I’m going to frame it on my wall and now be that will be the lifetime there I’m gonna share with everybody and, you know, just happy to be the world 8 ball champion.”
Women World 10-Ball: Chezka Centeno became the new 2023 Predator WPA World 10 Ball Women’s Champion, earning an impressive $50,000, the highest prize in women’s pool. Her outstanding performance culminated in a triumphant 9-5 victory over China’s Han Yu.
“To be world champion was my dream, so I’m really happy.” Chezka dedicated the title to her dad and all the Filipino supporters, especially her teammate Rubilen Amit.
Junior Girls Division: Hong Xin Yu from Chinese Taipei defended her World Junior Girls title in an intense final, triumphing over Sofia Mast with a 6-4 victory.
Boys Under 17: Derin Asaku Sitorus secured the 2023 Predator WPA World Junior
Boys U17 championship with a 6-4 win over Adrian Prasad, displaying a stellar performance.
Boys Under 19: Yannick Pongers emerged as the new World 10-Ball Under 19 champion, avenging his previous runner-up finish with a nail-biting hill-hill showdown against compatriot Mika van BERKEL, ultimately clinching the title with a 7-6 victory.
The Predator Pro Billiard Series, working alongside Richwert promotions, returned to the picturesque city of Klagenfurt, home of the Jasmin Ouschan Billiard Academy, for a third time but this year marked the first staging of the Predator WPA World 8-Ball Men’s Championship in the country and the first time all five Championships have been held at the same time.
The week in Klagenfurt city was nothing short of fantastic, with six days of intense battles among Men, Women, and Juniors. The events were made possible with the support of the city of Klagenfurt and the region of Carinthia, along with partners Jasmin Oushan Billiard Academy, Richwert Promotions, and Pro Billiard Series, including Predator Group, CSI, and Kamui.
The competition unfolded on Predator Apex pro pool tables, covered with Predator Arcadia Performance Cloth, using Predator Arcos II balls, all illuminated by the Predator Arena billiard lights.
For more thrilling action, mark your calendars for the upcoming Puerto Rico Billiard Expo (7-12 November), where the Pro Billiard Series moves to the Caribbean, offering a total prize pool of $500,000 for the World Teams Championship and the Medalla Light Puerto Rico Open.
