Thorsten Hohmann has won the Philippine Open Men's Division and Siming Chen has won the Women's. Chen won in dominating style, never giving Kelly Fisher a breath of air as her offensive style left few opportunities for challenge. The 17-year old Chinese native defeated Fisher 9-3 and is yet the latest superstar female to emerge from the emerging giant that is Chinese pool.
Thorsten Hohmann had a bit more of a battle on his hands in his victory. He and Ralf Souquet went rack for rack with never more than a single point between them until Souquet gained his first lead of the match at 10-9 in the race to 11. From there Hohmann won the next two racks to claim the title. When Hohmann won the rack to get him to double-hill it was his third hill-hill match in the last four. He had also won against Carlo Biado and Ricky Yang by the same margin.
It was rather ironic that Hohmann would win this event. He was not even supposed to be there. He had had a personal commitment that was preventing him from attending and that commitment did not go away until the last minute. Neither the BCA, the EPBF, the WPA nor the promoter could find a slot for him at that late hour. But a player pulled out of the tournament at the last moment and Yen Makabenta gave Thorsten a call just on the off chance that he might be able to get to Manila and compete. Within a few hours of the call Hohmann was on his way to Manila and the incredible week of pool that lay ahead for him.
