Henrik Larsson (SWE), the new WPA World 9- Ball Champion wheelchair division Foto: EPBF/AMM
Friday, 07 December 2012 In a very high class match, Henrik Larsson (SWE) defeated Jouni Tahti (FIN) with 7:3 and became the new World Champion in the wheelchair division.
Larsson had the easier way into the final of the wheelchair competition. He defeated Fred Dinsmore (IRE) with 7:5 in the semi-final. Jouni Tahti had to deal with Roy Kimberley (GBR) he was already 6:1 ahead in a race to 7 when Kimberley suddenly awoke and played probably the game of his life. He snatched rack after rack off the defending Champion and tied the match at hill-hill, 6:6. It was also Roy Kimberley to be lining up the shot for the deciding 9-ball but he did not award himself for his brave performance. He dogged the 9-ball and allowed Tahti to enter the final match.
In the final match, Tahti had the better start. He obtained an early 3:1 lead over Larsson since the Swede committed some mistakes. But the match was far from being decided yet. Larsson struck back and got to 3:3. Then he took a time-out and came back even stronger. He played exceptionally strong and got rewarded. Suddenly, the tide had turned on the match. Larsson found himself in a comfortable 5:3 lead over the reigning World Champion. Would he be able to take revenge for last year’s defeat? Yes, he would. He played probably some of the best pool in his career and never gave another chance to Tahti. He won the match with 7:3 and did not allow Tahti to take another rack off him. The WPA World 9-Ball Champion in the wheelchair division is Henrik Larsson from Sweden.
The event is hosted by the European Governing Body for Pool, the European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF) in conjunction with the WPA and organized by International Billiard Promotion (IBP). For further information and reference please go to the federation website www.wpapoolonline.com , follow us on twitter @EPBF_News or contact our press office.
