The 2007 version of the BCA Enjoypool.com 9-Ball Championship begins May 13th and ends with the finals on May 19th. Last year's surprise champion, Jasmin Ouschan will be in attendance again this year. In 2006, Jasmin was placed in the loser' bracket in the third round by Melissa Herndon, but she didn't come all the way from Austria to go out so quickly. Following subsequent wins over: Dawn Hopkins, Karen Corr, Kelly Fisher, Pam Treadway, Gerda Hoffstatter, Shin Mei Liu, and Helena Thornfeldt, Jasmin had to face Allison Fisher in the finals. Jasmin came from behind to defeat Allison and claim the title. All in all, an extremely solid victory and it should be remembered she recently finished 2nd in the WPBA San Diego Classic. Jasmin will surely be a favorite in this event.
Without doubt Karen Corr is another favorite for this event. Having just finished the San Diego Classic where Kelly Fisher established herself as one of the few “three-peat” winners of an event, Karen has already established that distinction with the BCA Championship. Karen won this event 3 years in a row 2002, 2003 and 2004, by defeating Vivian Villarreal once and Allison Fisher twice. Karen is winless so far in 2007 on the WPBA tour, but she just recently won a Joss Tour event where she defeated Santos Sambajon in a hill-hill match. The last two years of this event were not good to Karen, but if she is coming out of her 2007 slump, she definitely knows how to win in Las Vegas.
What would Vegas be without a wildcard. Last years wildcard was Jasmin and the results of her year as the wildcard are now established. This years wildcard is the “red hot” Xiaoting Pan. Making TV rounds in all three WPBA events this year, winning one of those events and also capturing this year's World Championship title, Xiaoting is definitely one strong wildcard. This will be her first ever BCA Championship event. With coach in tow, Xiaoting will not only expect to win her first time in this event, but she may just be able to pull it off.
Other noteable players to watch:
Allison Fisher: Allison is almost always a favorite to win any event. Allison is herself a two time winner of this event; she won the inaugural event in 1999 and then again in 2005. Allison has also been in a slump recently, but expect a strong showing for this event.
Kelly Fisher: Kelly has had ups and downs in this event. Kelly did well last year finishing 9-12, but after such a strong showing in San Diego you just have to add her to the “watch” list.
Shin-Mei Liu: Shin does not play much in the states, but she always shows up for the BCA Championship.........and she always plays well. Shin has that “silent but deadly” effect, you don't keep up with her, but she always shows up at the end. Consider yourself warned, and watch how she progresses during the event.
Ga-Young Kim: As with Kelly Fisher, and Xiaoting Pan, Ga-Young is also on a roll this year. Having never won this event, but being a 2-time World Champion, Ga-Young has to have this trophy in her sights.
