Darren Appleton will be looking for this third Challenge of Champions title
Champions from around the world will go head-to-head in a three-day extravaganza of action packed professional billiards. The MEN’S INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE OF CHAMPIONS, THE WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS, and TRICK SHOT MAGIC will be held October 7, 8, and 9 at Harrah’s Resort Southern California in Valley Center, California, close to the cities of San Diego and Los Angeles.
The matches will be taped for ESPN/ESPN2 with a live audience for television broadcast that represents the highest viewed billiard programming on US network television. The events are widely considered the toughest tournament to win in professional billiards.
Once, each year, international champions are battling in sudden-death shootouts with pressure-cooker formats and the highest prize money in pool's special events. And, the winners claim one of the most coveted titles in pool – Champion of Champions! On October 7, at 3pm, Harrah’s Resort Southern California will host the WPA sanctioned INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE OF CHAMPIONS presenting the top male players in the world: Darren Appleton defending Champion, 2010 and 2011, US Open 9-Ball Champion, 2013 Mosconi Cup Champion, 2012 World 9-Ball Champion, and 2014 World Tournament of 14.1 champion; Shane Van Boening 2014 Derby City Big Foot 10-Ball Challenge Champion, 2104 Derby City 9-Ball Champion, Super Billiards Expo Player's Champion, 2012 and 2013 US Open 9-Ball Champion; Thorsten Hohmann 2013 World 9-Ball Champion and World Tournament of 14.1 champion; Dennis Orcollo: 2014 Derby City Classic Master of the Table, 2014 US Open 1-Pocket Champion, 2013 World Cup of Pool Champion, 2011 World 8-Ball Champion.
On October 8, at 3pm, Harrah’s Resort Southern California presents the WPBA sanctioned TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS which will highlight the 4 most accomplished women champions contending for the title Champion of Champions: Kelly Fisher, defending Champion and 2012 Women’s World 9-Ball Champion; Allison Fisher #1 ranked WPBA player and 2012 US Open 9-Ball Champion; Karen Corr number 3 ranked WPBA player and 3 time winner of the Tournament of Champions; and Ga-Young Kim 2013 and 2014 WPBA Master’s Champion.
On October 9, at 2pm, the Harrah’s Resort Southern California welcomes the return of the highest rated pool tournament ever shown on ESPN, TRICK SHOT MAGIC. Four of the most talented Trick Shot competitors in the World will compete for a sudden death prize in television’s most exciting format: Nick Nikolaidis current overall World Champion; Andy Segal last year’s Champion and current Masse´ Shot and Stroke Shot World Champion; Gabi ”Mr. Perfect” Visiou current Draw Shot World Champion; and Florian Kohler World Cup of Trick Shots Champion and VENOM Internet sensation.
The three events are each regarded as the supreme test of skill and imagination in billiards. The players are so evenly matched that any one player could beat the others on any given day.
The INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE OF CHAMPIONS and the TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS are 9-Ball with a format of two sets and, in the event of one set each, a 1-game sudden death tie-breaker.
TRICK SHOT MAGIC presents the greatest individual trick shots selected by each player which then must be matched by their opponent. The sudden death tie-breaker to decide a match requires an incredible eight rail bank shot onto the face of a $100 bill. All in all, the 3 events offer the wildest shootout of the year.
COME CHALLENGE THE PROS: And, as if that weren't enough, for a few hours each evening, the pro's will accept challenge games from audience members and pool fans alike. You might also get tips on your game.
Harrah’s Resort Southern California, the Official Host Site, and the Resort of Choice with the most spectacular sports entertainment of 2014-2015, will make all three events ADMISSION FREE to pool fans over the age of 21.
The trophies and the checks will be presented by Harrah’s Resort Southern California. The tournaments are also sponsored by Aramith Tournament Balls, Simonis Cloth, Diamond Billiards, Executive Billiards Delta-13 Racks, Pool Dawg, Cuetec, and OB Cues.
The 2014 events are produced by Billiards International. For best seats, arrive early for each tournament session. Discount hotel rooms are available to make an enjoyable getaway at the spectacular, newly refurbished Harrah’s Resort Southern California. Please enter the following code: HYPERLINK http://bit.ly/1tqQpzr or call 877-242-7724 and mention the CODE: “Billiards” to receive DISCOUNTED room rates. Make your plans today to attend the INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE OF CHAMPIONS, the TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS and, TRICK SHOT MAGIC, October 7, 8, & 9 at Harrah’s Resort Southern California in San Diego County, California.
