Osaka,Japan- Mika Immonen, Yu Ram Cha, and Charlie Williams are still looking good at the 41st All Japan Championships. The event is the largest and most prestigious title in Japan and draws a field of 128 players every year for the men and this year, 76 players in the women's division. Dragon Promotions is represented at the event by its players from USA, Korea, and Finland.
Mika Immonen is looking strong coming out with his two wins the first day. His first opponent from Japan was completely outmatched while Wang from Chinese Taipei gave Mika a run for the money until Immonen regrouped for a 9-7 win. Charlie Williams is also looking good with a 9-5 win over Mukai of Japan and then a 9-6 win over former World Cup Champion He-Wen Li of China. Immonen and Williams need one more win to qualify them for the final 32 player single elimination bracket.
Rodney Morris (USA) had a rough match his first round losing to an unknown Japanese pro 9-6. Morris bounced back today with a convincing 9-1 win over another Japan pro. Other top names that were upset in the first round were Francisco Bustamante (PHI) and Ronnie Alcano (PHI) both whom were defeated by Japan pros.
Yu Ram Cha (KOR) is on her way to changing history as she won against Japan's Yuka Hashimoto 7-3 and Mariko Nibo 7-5. If Cha wins the event she will be the first Korean to ever win the All Japan. She will have her work cut out for her tomorrow against China's former World Champ Xiao-Ting Pan who won her match 7-0 after a bye. Cha defeated Pan in their first and last encounter at the US Open 9-4.
"I know she (Pan) will be wanting revenge against me, but I'm really excited and looking forward to playing her again." said Cha. Other notables in the field will be Ga-Young Kim(KOR), current World 9-Ball Champ Yuan Chun Lin (TPE), and defending champion Miyuki Fuke (JPN).
Brackets and updated info can be found at www.onthehill.jp
