At the 2002 WPBA Amateur Nationals, the pool world was surprised to see a new face come out on top. Sixteen year old Jasmin Ouschan dominated a field of very tough regional players to earn her way in to the WPBA National Championship taking place December 4th - 8th in Miami, Florida. Jasmin took some time from her preperation to play in the Amateur Nationals and sat down to answer some questions for us. Here is that interview.

AZB: First off, how old are you and how long have you been playing pool?

Jasmin: I´m just 16 years old and I play pool since the age of three. I started playing tournaments with 7 and since this age I got my own trainer.

AZB: Can you tell us about your past tournament experiences?

Jasmin: One of the biggest experiences was of course the Amateur Nationals in Athens Georgia this summer. It was so new for me because it was the first tournament in the USA and I learned a lot. Other big experiences in the past was the participation at the Men Euro Tour, the Youth World Championships in Osaka/Japan 2001 this was the first big tournament which was not in Europe and it was a great feeling to play there (9th Place) and the Youth European Championships. I´m seven times European Champion.

AZB: I understand you have a regular instructor back home in Austria. Can you tell us about that?

Jasmin: My trainer is since the beginning Michael Neumann. He is the best trainer and coach and he is not only my trainer he is one of my best friends. I´m very proud to have him on my side.

AZB: Did we hear correctly that he has had you only playing men for the last 2 years?

Jasmin: Not that is only a mere rumour. Tournaments like the European Championships or Austrian Championships and the World Championships I play in the Youth division. But, and this is true, in all the other tournaments I play only in the men´s division, like the Men Euro - Tour or the other big tournaments in Austria.

AZB: It sounds like you already have a plan for your pro career.

Jasmin: Sure I have a plan. At first I want to finish the school (this year and another) and than I want to go to the USA to play professional pool. I like the United States so I´m very excited.

AZB: We have seen pictures of you from the Amateur Nationals and you look to already have a fair amount of sponsors. How is that going?

Jasmin: Yeah, I do have 7 sponsors and now also Predator Cues is supporting me too. It is very helpful for me to get such an honour for my way of playing pool. I think I was at the age of 9 when I got my first sponsor. At the time I was very proud and I never thought I will get more sponsors. My trainer and my father talked to the sponsors and I think some sponsors thought it would be a good idea to support a young girl on the way to become a professional athlete in pool billiards.

AZB: I understand your brother plays pool too. Is he as serious about the game as you?

Jasmin: Yeah, he is serious. This year he won the European Championships in straight pool in the pupils division.

AZB: Who plays better, you or him?

Jasmin: He plays good but I am better.

AZB: Being from the same country as WPBA player Gerda Hofstatter, have your paths crossed?

Jasmin: Sometimes I saw her when she was back in Austria and I talked to her. I met her also by the World Championships in Japan 2001.

AZB: Do you have any experiences with any of the other WPBA players?

Jasmin: No I never played against one of the WPBA players before. The first time I saw Allison Fisher in Austria and of course at the World Championships and at the Amateur Nationals. There I talked to her and also to Helena Thornfeldt and Belinda Campos.

AZB: The WPBA Nationals are coming right up. What kind of expectations do you have for that event?

Jasmin: I think this will be a great tournament and a very big experience for me. I will play my way of pool and learn as much as I can.

AZB: Thanks for your time Jasmin, and good luck in Florida.

Jasmin: Thank you.

All photos courtesy of Pool Pics by Hoppe.