East Brunswick, New Jersey- Francisco Bustamante PHI, Ignacio Chavez MEX, Alan Rolon PUR, Carmen Lombardo,USA, John Rousseau USA, and Earl Herring USA emerge from the shadows of the alternate list to replace some of the top names in The World 14.1. The event is being held at the Hilton East Brunswick, NJ from Aug 25-30,2008. A few of the top names that had run into challenges making the event included Dennis Hatch, George SanSouci, and Stevie Moore.
Philippines has sent their lone soldier, but it's a good one. Francisco Bustamante will be making his international debut in 14.1 . Bustamante has for the past decade established himself on a level even higher than just a top pro player in the eyes of some of today's best players.
"If you could pick four top pros that stand head and shoulders above the rest, Bustamante would be in that mix." noted Raj Hundal, currently ranked #5 on the US Pro Rankings and representing India in the event.
"I play a little bit of straight pool in Germany awhile ago, but this is my first time in a big tournament." commented Bustamante, former #1 in the world. "But I think I can play a little still." he says with a smile.
One historic note is the participation of throw back player Earl Herring. Herring will be the first African American player to play in the World 14.1 Championship in over twenty years, and the first in the new millennium since Dragon Promotions has revived the World 14.1 . Herring played in his last World Straight Pool in 1977, which Allen Hopkins would win. Herring placed 4th in the 1976 event.
"Earl is a legend in his home parts of New York. In his younger days they said he ran 100's all the time, and he has a ton of fans coming down to support him. He has been practicing for months for this event, so I'm so glad he got in even at the last minute." said Tony Robles, one of the hometown favorites to win this year.
At the players meeting, Herring was greeted with many handshakes from old friends and an embrace from Allen Hopkins who remembered Earl well from that era.
"Earl has played against names such as Irving Crane, Luther Lassiter, Joe Balsis, Cicero Murphy and more. He is a living link to an era long gone. It's amazing to have him in this event." said Charlie Williams, co-producer of the event.
Latin America will have additional representatives in Mexico's Ignacio Chavez and Puerto Rico's Alan Rolon. Chavez is a well known money player who is feared throughout the US circuit, while Rolon is one of the best players to come out of Latin America.
John Rousseau was one of the fortunate alternates who had played in the Arizona Qualifier and was actually on hand in person at the event when the spot opened. Carmen Lombardo, a regular on the Joss Northeast Tour, also got in.
Matches begin at 9:00am Monday morning and will be covered throughout the day by azbilliards.com with brackets and updates
Group 1
Oliver Ortmann GER
Allen Hopkins USA
Yu Ram Cha KOR
Mike Dechaine USA
Bernie Pettipiece USA
Bob Chamberlain USA
Bill Maropolous USA
Peter Burrows USA
Group 2
Thorsten Hohmann GER
Mike Sigel USA
Jonathan Fulcher SCO
Charlie Williams USA
Ignacio Chavez MEX
Jim Gottier USA
Devon Cataldi USA
Allan Cornia USA
Group 3
Huidji See NED
John Schmidt USA
Dominic Jentsch GER
Shaun Wilkie USA
Mark Vidal SPN
John Rousseau USA
Dan Heidrich USA USA
David Daya USA
Group 4
Danny Harriman USA
Niels Feijen NED
Danny Barouty USA
Gerda Hofstatter AUT
Bob Maidhof USA
Chris Lynch USA
Mark Snodgrass USA
Stefan Cohen FRA
Group 5
Martin Kempter AUT
Ralf Souquet GER
Tony Robles USA
Francisco Bustamante PHI USA
Vincent Facquet FRA
Dan Wallace USA
Carmen Lombardo USA
Jonathan Smith USA
Group 6
Thomas Engert GER
Raj Hundal IND
Corey Deuel USA
Nick Van Denberg
Sebastian Staab GER
Liz Ford USA
Tom Parisian USA
Earl Herring USA
Group 7
Mika Immonen FIN
Bobby Hunter USA
Konstantin Stepanov RUS
Mike Davis USA
Ed Deska USA
Mark Ritter USA
Michael Yednak USA
Bob M. Cozzolino USA
Group 8
Johnny Archer USA
Jasmin Ouschan AUT
Radoslaw Babica POL
Alan Rolon PUR
Calvin Coker USA
Mohammed Hakim NED
Steve Lipsky USA
Steve Lillis USA
Fans and players can still reserve rooms at Hilton East Brunswick at 1-732-828-2000
The room code for the event is "POL" There are still limited amount of rooms available.
Tickets can be purchased in advanced at www.dragonpromotions.com or in person at Amsterdam Billiards in NYC or Comet Billiards in NJ.
The 2008 Predator World Straight Pool Championship is proudly sponsored by Dr.Michael Fedak of NYC, Joel Schapiro of NYC, The Predator Group, Diamond Billiard Products, Aramith Balls, and Simonis Cloth. For more information on player registration, sponsorship, or if you would like to submit a comment, please email worldstraightpoolchampionships@gmail.com or contact Dragon Promotions at 1-407-782-4978.
For more details on the World 14.1 Championship go to www.dragonpromotions.com or email worldstraightpoolchampionships@gmail.com
