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Natsumi Higashiuchi: the champion is a bit nervous

01-10-2014

Gepubliceerd door frits bakker

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Natsumi Higaschiuchi, practicing for the World championship in Sinop

TOKYO - The world championship 3-cushion for women, to be held from 24 to 26 October in Sinop, Turkey, will once again be a clash between the Japanese and the European hopefuls. Natsumi Higashiuchi is the title holder: she was victorious two years ago in Tokyo. The competition comes from her own country, but also from multiple European champion and world nr. 1 Therese Klompenhouwer from Holland.

That number one position paints a slightly distorted picture: Therese has gathered many points with her European title (80) and her participation in World Cups. The Asian women do not have a Confederational championship. Therese Klompenhouwer leads the ranking with 176 points, ahead of Natsumi Higashiuchi with 132, Karina Jetten with 122 and Yuko Nishimoto with 111.

Natsumi Higashiuchi won her world title in Tokyo, beating Yuko Nishimoto in the final, 25-15 in 19 innings. The other two players on the all-Japanese podium were Ayaka Fukumoto and Namiko Hayashi.

A month before the title tournament in Sinop, Kozoom had an interview with reigning champion Natsumi Higashiuchi.

Profile:

Name: Natsumi Higashiuchi
Age: 32
Profession: part-timer in a medical insurance agency
Relationship status: single
Residence: Tokyo
Born in: Paris

Frits Bakker/Kozoom: How did you prepare for this WC? Did you practice and play tournaments?

Natsumi Higashiuchi: ,,I have tried to practice after work as often as I could, but I have not played many tournaments. Just a few, with women only.''

FB/Kozoom: How many tournaments are thee in a season, are there Grand Prix's in Japan? Can you win points for the ranking?

NH: ,,There are four or five tournaments for women every year. There are seven or eight more, but we are not awarded ranking points for most of the women's events.''

FB/Kozoom: Which Japanese players are sent to the WC? And why? The Japanese champion? The world champion?

NH: ,,The national women's champion Yuko Nishimoto, myself as title holder, and Orie Hida too, I hear. She finished second in the Japanese Nationals.''

FB/Kozoom: How did the Nationals go this year? How did you do?

NH: ,,Yuko Nishimoto won the final against Orie Hida? We all played each other, round robin. Yuko and Orie remained undefeated until the last round, so they played for the title. Yuko won. I lost to Yuko, to Orie and to Namiko Hayashi, and I finished third.''

FB/Kozoom: What else did you win, after you became world champion in Tokyo? What were your best performances?

NH: ,,I won the Ermald Cup in 2014, a women's tournament in Tokyo. But, truth be told, I did not have many good finishes since 2012.''

FB/Kozoom: How do you feel right now, when it comes to the upcoming WC? What are your chances?

NH: ,,I am a bit nervous about it. I am not sure, but I realize I am going to have to give more than 100 % to beat Therese and Orie Hida. I will try to raise my level of concentration as the championship approaches, and improve my standard.''

FB/Kozoom: Are you busy with work and/or family? I mean, is there even time to practice?

NH: ,,I have to work on weekdays, but I practice almost every day after work. On weekends, I practice two to four hours a day on average. Maybe it is not enough, but it could be worse.''

FB/Kozoom: For which club do you play in Japan?

NH: ,,The Kobayashi Billiard club.''

FB/Kozoom: Where do you practice: in your club or at home?

NH: ,,In the Kobayashi club, because I do not have a table at home.''

FB/Kozoom: Do you live with your parents, or by yourself?

NH: ,,I live by myself''

FB/Kozoom: Therese Klompenhouwer is the nr. 1 on the world ranking, mostly because of her points from the European championship and a number of World Cups. Is there no Asian Confederal championship for women?

NH: ,,No, there isn't. Just our National championship.''

FB/Kozoom: What can we expect from the Japanese women at this WC? In Tokyo, there were four of you on the podium. Who are the favorites this time around?

NH: ,,This year, Yuko Nishimoto won the Nationals, and another tournament as well.
Both times, she beat Orie Hida in the final. I expect her to do well, but Orie is in the hunt for sure.''

FB/Kozoom: Do you have a trainer or a coach?

NH: ,,No, not really. I can pick up things from the male players, but not often.''

FB/Kozoom: Do you socialize with the best Japanese players, like Ryuji Umeda, O Takeshima or others?

NH: ,,I meet them from time to time during tournaments, but other than that, no.''

FB/Kozoom: How is Orie Hida, the former world champion? Is she still ambitious?

NH: ,,Yes, of course. She is doing fine. She plays most of the tournaments in Tokyo.''

Thank you for the interview, Natsumi. I wish you and the other Japanese women well, during this World championship.

 

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