3-Cushion
SINOP - The Japanese world champion Natsumi Higashiuchi and two other Japanese top players have been seeded for the World championship three cushion for ladies. This tournament will be played in Sinop, Turkey, from 24th to 26th October.
The UMB (world billiards federation) had announced the sixteen players. In addition to the three Japanese players, the European champion Therese Klompenhouwer, Karina Jetten, Danielle le Bruyn, Gülsen Degener and Marianne Mortensen are the main contenders for a podium place.
Therese Klompenhouwer is hunting for the most important prize in her career so far. The player who is considered as the best in the world, is missing the world title in her palmares.
Twelve participants are from Europe, four from Asia. The opening ceremony is on Friday at 10.30.
In the four groups will be played to 25 caroms. Two players per group qualify for the knock out rounds. With eight players in the final round the matches are to 35 caroms. The time limit is 40 seconds.
The tournament hall in Sinop is the Ataturk Sports Center. Farouk Barki is the sports director on behalf of the UMB.
Turkey's number one Gülsen Degener is one of the top players in women's billiards for many years.
The group format:
Group A: Natsumi Higashiuchi, Gülsen Degener, Shin Young Lee, Marianne Mortensen.
Group B: Therse Klompenhouwer, Yuko Nishimoto, Jaimie Buelens, Jeanette Jensen.
Group C: Karina Jetten, Helga Mitterbock, Estela Cardoso, Guzin Karakasli.
Group D: Orie Hida, Danielle le Bruyn, Aysegul Fendi, Christine Morel.