3-Cushion
BAD WILDUNGEN - He had already showed his form in the Belgian league with an imposing run of fourteen last week. Christian Rudolph is still looking sharp and lively: he grabbed the German title in three cushion this weekend with a final win against Martin Horn in a thrilling scenario with two disputed caroms at the end: 40-38 in 21 innings (1.905/1.810).
The end win enriched the 47-year old Rudolph's career with another national title. At international level, the German can flaunt with a great palmares. He was the world champion in 1996 (the Bayer era) in a final against Dani Sánchez. Furthermore, he was four times world champion for nation teams with Germany: twice with Maxime Aguirre (1993/1994), once with Johan Schirmbrand (1997) and the last time with Martin Horn (2002), his opponent in the final this weekend.
In the German championship, in which for the first time all disciplines were played by one organization, in Kurort Bad Wildungen, Rudolph came to the final by defeating Ronny Lindemann (40-24 in 21) in the semifinals. The later champion player a minor match in the quarterfinals, in which he defeated Thomas Ahrens. But his opponent could not threaten him at all (40-29 in 35).
Martin Horn was arguably the most consistent player of the tournament. Except in his final match, in which he he could not make a solid attack: at the end of the match, Christian Rudolph showed himself the top dog.
Before that final match, Horn prevailed in the semi-final against Rainer Neff (40-12 in 15/2.667) and in the quarterfinal against Torsten Leihelt (40-29 in 20).
Wolfgang Zenkner won the final match in one cushion against Dieter Steinberger (100-24 in 10).
Sven Daske was champion in free game (against Arnd Riedl, 300-0 in 1) and balk-line 71/2 (against Zenkner 150-58 in 2). Carsten Lässig won the 47/2 by defeating Arnd Riedl (200 to 108 in 3).