3-Cushion
OKYO - The Europeans are out, Therese Klompenhouwer, the absolute favorite is out of the game, the reigning world champion is sent home: the Japanese forces come to the tables tomorrow (Friday) to battle for the gold, silver and bronze medal at the World Championships for women. The homeland reigns in the billiard hall in Tokyo, the competition has retreated with awkward feelings.
The excuse can not be that the level was too high, because in general the averages were far below of what was expected. Two times, in two days, a match was played over one average, the other matches fluctuated around 0.500, 0.600 and 0.700.
The elimination of Therese Klompenhouwer, who did not stand a chance in the quarterfinals against Yuko Nishimoto (25-21 in 32 innings) for that reason is a huge disappointment. The Dutch, who starred at the championship in her own country, was mentally knocked down at the World championship.
The big favorite for the title said, before she left for Tokyo: ,,I only play for gold, for nothing else.'' Today, after the elimination, she confessed: ,,I did not lose because of pressure, after eight years I can handle it. The only thing is that I want to win: if not, then I'd better stay at home. I lost because I was playing poorly and I'm sick of that.''
The preliminaries were not impressive (0.694), like a shot in the dark, in the quarterfinals she was tormented and beaten by an opponent who played like a daredevil in a haunted house. The Japanese Nishimoto led the entire match (7-0, 11-3, 13-5, 18-12) and closed down with ease.
The European retreat was even more poignant, because Karina Jetten could not get her teeth into the match against Natsumi Higashiuchi, after a promising start (6-0). The Dutch had a bad finish and lost 25-17 in 29 innings.
The World Championship turns out into a Japanese gala: Natsumi Higashiuchi (against Jetten 0.862), Ayaka Fukumoto (25-16 against Ji Hyun Park, 0.806 average), Yuko Nishimoto (0.781 against Klompenhouwer) and Namiko Hayashi (25-16 in 42 against Su Ah Park) meet in a full Japanese semifinal.
The home crowd can make itself up for an amazing final day.
The Europeans, who entered the room with bells and whistles, are overpowerd by the Asian invasion.
How long will it take before they get another chance to show the world how good they can play three cushion?