The Predator World Women’s 10-Ball Championship and Predator World Teams Championship commence in Klagenfurt, Austria on Tuesday and on Monday morning media were welcomed to the SportPark Klagenfurt for the official press conference to open the event.
Jasmin Ouschan’s Billiard Sport Academy is a major promotional partner of the events and the 36-year-old herself has been a leading driving force behind them. Ouschan was World 10-Ball Champion in 2010 but this is the first time the event has been staged since 2013, when Rubilen Amit was champion. Ouschan is a well-known name in Austria, she finished second the country’s Dancing With The Stars last year and has her eyes set on another 10-Ball title this week.
“Bringing a World Championship women’s event and team event to Klagenfurt is absolutely indescribable,” she said. “My brother and I are really known here but the people never really get to see anything.
“There’s not much pool on television so bringing a big tournament to my hometown is so special. I know I have an extra portion of pressure that comes with it. Winning a World Championship in my hometown is just a crazy thought.
“We have so much support from the city of Klagenfurt, from our county Carinthia, but also with Predator. Together we created such a cool team. I have to say, in the last couple of weeks, I did less and less because I am an athlete at the end of the day. But of course, I was always involved, and seeing what we have all done together here makes me extremely proud. I’m hoping that all the players and also the federations will see what we’re doing here for the sport and for the athletes.”
Ouschan’s first match will be against Kristina Grim of Slovakia at 4pm on Tuesday. As well as competing in the Women’s World 10-Ball Championship, Ouschan will also feature in the World Teams Championship, partnering with Mario He and her brother Albin on Austria’s ’A’ team.
Austria A is one of eight teams seeded into the winners’ side of the brackets. They will face the winners of Portugal vs New Zealand, which plays at 7pm on Tuesday.
Klagenfurt was host venue of last year’s Pro Billiard Series Austrian Opens, where Kelly Fisher took home the Women’s title. The Brit won the last Women’s World 9-Ball title and is excited to have the opportunity to compete for two World titles this week.
“It is very nice to be back in this beautiful city of Klagenfurt,” Fisher told the assembled media. “It is such a great event, not just because I won here last year, but because of the effort that goes into putting on such an event. The arena is awesome and players can only but love playing here.
“I am looking forward to the event. It is very exciting to have both the Teams and the Women’s World 10-Ball Championship, which we haven’t had for ten years. To have two massive events happening at the same time is spectacular, and I’m looking forward to a great, action-packed week. It is going to be a very special and a very memorable week.”
The draw and brackets for the Predator World Women’s 10-Ball Championship can be seen here: https://probilliardseries.com/event/1677/. Play begins at 9am on Tuesday.
The draw and brackets for the Predator World Teams Championship is at https://probilliardseries.com/event/1678/. Play begins 7pm on Tuesday.
The event will broadcast two tables with full live coverage and commentary every day. One will be available on the World Billiard TV YouTube Channel and another will be at watchbilliard.tv. All tables can be viewed live at Kozoom.com.
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