3-Cushion
ISTANBUL - The storm of responses after the day of glory has died down. Back in Istanbul, everyday life has resumed, but Murat Naci Coklu is still in the afterglow of his World Cup success. The Turkish billiard world has embraced its little hero, and the taste of victory, shared with his wife Emel and supporters, is still in his mouth. ,,I have had so many messages, phone calls, congratulations, it felt really good'', Murat told us after his two-day trip to Gaziantep to sign the contracts for his new team.
Kozoom contacted the World Cup winner for some Q & A. ,,These are difficult times in our country. My victory was partly for my friends, and for all the Turkish people.''
Kozoom/Frits Bakker: How were those first few hours after the final? You looked very emotional and happy, and it was obvious that everybody enjoyed the moment with you.
Murat Naci Coklu: I was congratulated left, right and centre, it felt fantastic. After the prize ceremony, there was an interview with NTVSPOR Channel, which is the major sports channel in Turkey. I had get my picture taken with many people, it was all just a blur and I celebrated it with other billiard lovers. Those were great hours.
Kozoom/FB: After that, you took a plane to Gaziantep, with the other players of your new team for the Turkish league, Frédéric Caudron, Tayfun Tasdemir, Can Capak, Gökhan Salman and the reserves?
MNC: I went home first, but our flight was at 5 in the morning. We were there for two days. The local papers wrote about my win, and about the presentation of the new team. It all feels okay, because now the Turkish federation tries hard to support our sport. I am very grateful, as are all the other Turkish players, to Mr Ercan Ersan, our chairman and his board for their warm support during the Istanbul tournament.
Kozoom/FB: This is for billiard fans who want to know more about you. Where did your billiard career start? What was your childhood like?
MNC: I was born and raised in Istanbul, in a family with one sister. She is now 25, married, with a six year old son, which makes me an uncle. I was not into other sports, and started playing billiards at seventeen. When I got fascinated, I went to a teacher: Mr Orkun Buyukogblu. He has taught me everything he knows. My major success until now was the European title in 2004. In that same year, I was in the final of the Hurghada World Cup.
Kozoom/FB: Then it was quiet for several years, no more major successes.
MNC: In the year I won my European title, our federation changed, a new president took over and a new board. It was the beginning of the bad years, because these people did not improve billiards in Turkey. The top players even decided in 2007 to no longer take part in the league. Two years ago, an agreement was reached with the federation, only not for Semih who did not want to play under that board. We more or less survived those years, making the best of it.
Kozoom/FB: What happened with you, meanwhile?
MNC: I opened a new billiard room in Istanbul in 2008, but that did not go well. These were troubled years. All I had to hold on to was my wife Emel. Finally, I had to close that room in order to focus on other activities. Two years ago, in 2013, I once again bought a billiard room to make a living, but it was long hours and small revenue. In May 2015 I have sold that room and decided to focus on my playing career. My victory in this World Cup is my reward. I hope this is the beginning of a better era. It is my ambition to make a living as a professional player.
Murat Naci Coklu on top of the stage with Roland Forthomme, Dick Jaspers and Eddy Merckx
Kozoom/FB: You started this World Cup with tremendous qualification matches, you were on 2.500 average. Were you able to hold on to that form?
MNC: I felt good all through the tournament, but sometimes I also had a bad spell in the midle of a match. The one against Jaspers was not good in the beginning. Still, I never had the feeling that I could not win it. I kept fighting all the way, and was confident that it would end well.
Kozoom/FB: What is the rest of the year like, for you? The WC in Bordeaux, the World Cup in Hurghada?
MNC: Unfortunately I don't get to play the World Championship, because the Turkish representation had already been decided upon before this World Cup. I am going to have to focus on Hurghada, to keep myself in the ascent. I am looking forward to it, but for now, I am still enjoying these glorious days in Istanbul.
Murat Naci with its new Turkish dreamteam Gaziantepspor. on the front row with Can Capak, Murat Naci Coklu and Tayfun Tasdemir and behind them Gökhan Salman, Frédéric Caudron and the reserve players Hakan Adigüzel and Bülent Gürer.