3-Cushion
SLUISKIL - Twofold world champion Dick Jaspers (45), one of the favorites at the World championship in Sluiskil this week, wants to crown in his own country a wonderful year. The Dutchman later in the year can win the Worldcup, but nothing is better than become world champion. He says it in an interview in the Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant, the newspaper in the area where the World championship starts tomorrow.
Jaspers, asked if he is happy that the World championship finally starts, says:
"Yes, I am really looking forward to it. This World championship will be great, because everything always is very good organized in Sluiskil. They always manage to create a lot of atmosphere around the tournament. All players feel good in Sluiskil and want to show their best playing.''
What are your memories when you think of Sluiskil?
Jaspers: "In 1978, when I was twelve years, I played in a youth championship in Hotel Dallinga. I did not win, I was the fourth of eight players. But in 2005, 27 years later, I was back in Sluiskil to play in the first Worldcup. It felt good, returning to a place where you played as a young boy. And to win, that was quite wonderful.''
Are you ready for the World championship?
Jaspers: "We just moved to another house and I had some less time to praktice, but I'm professional, I am always prepared. I also played great tournaments if I had not trained properly. And bad tournaments after an optimal preparation. The spiritual pressure will be decisive. The pool system is tough, losing one time, you can be knocked out. My match tomorrow against Jean Paul de Bruijn feels as a finale for him and for me.''
Who do you see as your greatest competitors?
Jaspers: ''Caudron, Blomdahl and Zanetti, but I have a great confidence. I have a very good year, have won major tournaments and played high averages. The road to the World championship is long and very difficult, but I want to crown this year. The World championship is something special, it's the most important and wonderful title.''