Chasing Mosconi: Hohmann Wins His 5th World Straight Pool Championship
Sep 2, 2018
Photos by Joe Gonzalez Photography NY/NJ. Story courtesy of Pool & Billiard Magazine.
Nanuet, NY- One match for Immortality.
World Straight Pool Champion. They say records are made to be broken. At this year's BottleDeck.net 78th World Straight Pool Championship, many of those records were. Germany's Thorsten Hohmann once again proved why he is considered to be the greatest 14.1 player of this millenium, and perhaps more. Hohmann went undefeated in the 3 stage tournament to make 5 wins in the World 14.1, now officially surpassing Luther Lassiter and tying Irving Crane for All-Time World 14.1 Championship wins. Hohmann already surpassed Mike Sigel and Ray Martin's 3 wins as well as Steve Mizerak and Nick Varner's 2 wins. In 1972, Irving Crane was the last man to win a 5th World 14.1 title. This makes Hohmann the winningest World 14.1 champion over 46 years.
The World 14.1 is hosted by The Spot Billiards Cafe August 13-19th, 2018. The Spot will have the honor of hosting the longest running and oldest tradition in billiards, the World Tournament of 14.1. For well over a decade, the World Tournament of 14.1 will be staged which has already set the record as the longest consecutive run of the championship ever in its 106 year history, with Dragon Promotions continuing at the helm.
The World 14.1 continued its long tradition thanks to the patronage of San Diego's Tom Gleich and host sponsor The Spot in Nanuet, New York. As well as the Official Ball sponsor Aramith, Z9 Billiard Cloth, and all the livestream matches were played on Connelly Tables built by Valley-Dynamo. The ultimate grand prize from the promoter ?
Nanuet, NY- One match for Immortality.
World Straight Pool Champion. They say records are made to be broken. At this year's BottleDeck.net 78th World Straight Pool Championship, many of those records were. Germany's Thorsten Hohmann once again proved why he is considered to be the greatest 14.1 player of this millenium, and perhaps more. Hohmann went undefeated in the 3 stage tournament to make 5 wins in the World 14.1, now officially surpassing Luther Lassiter and tying Irving Crane for All-Time World 14.1 Championship wins. Hohmann already surpassed Mike Sigel and Ray Martin's 3 wins as well as Steve Mizerak and Nick Varner's 2 wins. In 1972, Irving Crane was the last man to win a 5th World 14.1 title. This makes Hohmann the winningest World 14.1 champion over 46 years.
The World 14.1 is hosted by The Spot Billiards Cafe August 13-19th, 2018. The Spot will have the honor of hosting the longest running and oldest tradition in billiards, the World Tournament of 14.1. For well over a decade, the World Tournament of 14.1 will be staged which has already set the record as the longest consecutive run of the championship ever in its 106 year history, with Dragon Promotions continuing at the helm.
The World 14.1 continued its long tradition thanks to the patronage of San Diego's Tom Gleich and host sponsor The Spot in Nanuet, New York. As well as the Official Ball sponsor Aramith, Z9 Billiard Cloth, and all the livestream matches were played on Connelly Tables built by Valley-Dynamo.
Day 6 Quarter and Semi Finals
Robles pulled off back to back wins over Immonen in a 200-44 rout. Badstuebner again pulled a huge upset with a 200-158 win, avenging his loss in the round robin to John Schmidt. The win put Mike in his first ever semi-finals in a pro event.
On the other chart, Kiamco pulled off a minor upset against the in-form Van Boening 200-112 to enter his first World 14.1 semi-finals. Preiously he had a 5th place finish. Hohmann won big with a 150 & out against Makkonen to win 200-4.
The first semi-finals saw Robles and Badstuebner stay neck to neck , until Robles pulled away when Badstuebner looked out of gas and winded. It was also his 50th birthday, and his $100 qualifier entry had already paid many dividends. Robles won 200-97 and Mike had a thrilling 3rd place tie.
Day 7: Finals
"The World 14.1 title is worth more to me than any other title", Said Robles openly. A huge NYC crowd had come to support the beloved champion.
"If I had to lose to someone, it would be you Tony", said Hohmann in an interview on film. "But I give you a really hard time!"
Aside from money, a lot was at stake for different reasons for both men. For Robles, fulfilling a lifelong dream to win the biggest 14.1 title in his most favorite game. For Hohmann, a date with destiny to further cement his dominance in the modern era of 14.1, and come a step closer in tying Willie Mosconi's record of 7 wins, or surpassing it. Even tying or breaking Ralph Greenleaf's 10 all time win record is mathematically achievable.
Famous faces in the crowd. Archer, Frankie & Brandon Hernandez. Charlie Williams & Van Boening
The finals saw Hohmann take a small 30 ball early lead, but Robles had early chances. Hohmann extended the lead further but Robles couldn't capitalize. Then Hohmann went on a roll during his 4th inning with a 130 ball run, giving him a sizable lead. Robles could not find his game and was only able to put up 30 and 40 ball runs. Hohmann was too much to handle on his A game. At 299 however, Hohmann missed a long shot leaving Robles a sliver of hope and cheered on by the crowd.
"Oh man, come on!" Robles exclaimed when Hohmann returned from the table after the miss to the laughter of the crowd.
Thorsten bewildered by his championship winning miss. Robles regroups.
Robles was able to stay at the table another 15 minutues but he succumbed and Hohmann made the final shot down the length of the table to clinch his 5th win.
"I promise to everyone in New York that I will win this. Not just fr me, but for all of you because you deserve it", said Robles in his closing remarks.
In the meantime, Europe maintains the World 14.1 Cup which will have the inscription of Thorsten Hohmann's name on it once more. Without a doubt, a once in a generation player in the art of straight pool.
Lto R: Williams, Matt Aldrich & Lenore Chen owners of the Spot. Robles, Hohmann, Chen, Gleich, John Leyman the director.