3-Cushion
NIJKERK - The UMB Challenge, which ended the pre-rounds after three days, has set Therese Klompenhouwer's mind for a while and gave her a good feeling. Torbjörn Blomdahl was the group winner ahead of Sung-Won Choi, Jérémy Bury was third, Therese finished not so far down from the world top men. ''I expected a little more, but I am satisfied.'' Particularly given the current mental and physical circumstances: a recently broken relationship with her girlfriend and a painful injury to her foot. ''What worries me now again, after playing, is the crisis in these dark days due to Corona. The future, let's say the next five, six months, will be very tough.''
Kozoom and KNBB spoke with the ladies world champion after the Challenge in which she could finally get back into action.
Frits Bakker: How different was it to play a Challenge in this format and not just be in the same match at the billiard with an opponent?
Therese: It is strange to play a match in an empty room without the atmosphere we are used to. I must say that I was happy with the invitation, because we are in a long stop now. But indeed: the feeling of competition is missing, at least for me. Even though you know in the back of your mind that people are watching, that gives a special feeling.
FB: Did you have the feeling that your break shot is just not good enough to score more high runs?
Therese: At this table, it was hard to hit the break on the right side of my third ball. When I really tried, I missed the starter. So I was happy to make the point a little less well. Then it can still turn out well, so often my second was not the problem, but the third point. I made six times two in my last ten innings, so that second point was not hit well. Anyway: in practice, I often came between 2,500 and 3,000 in this format, I stayed a bit below that.
FB: The Challenge is finished, now, coming home, you must feel the days of darkness, home alone, without competitions and matches.
Therese: Yes, it looks like that. I'm quite worried about the future, because: how long will this pandemic hold us in its grip? Nobody knows, so it is a very uncertain time for me and many others with me.
FB: Physically and mentally, you told us before the start about a painful injury to your foot, which made you almost unable to walk.
Therese: I have a mild inflammation in my foot, but luckily it didn't bother me so much while playing. In the morning after sleeping I could hardly get up, during the day it got better.
FB: How do you deal with the new period in your private life? Your relationship has ended.
Therese: Yes, that's right, it is a bit difficult now, because it's all very fresh. I have no idea yet how it will be in private. Time will tell.
FB: What remains in your sports life, is to hope for a new start soon, as we all do in these gloomy weeks of the year.
Therese: Yes, that's for sure, but I don't think there will be any new start in billiards this year.
FB: We wish you all the best, thank you for the open-hearted interview.
Therese: I feel quite okay, hopefully my private life will be back to normal soon. And I will get through the dark winter days with my family and friends.
The final ranking in Therese's group for the Challenge was:
1 Torbjörn Blomdahl 111 points (30 innings in total)
2 Sung-Won Choi 90
3 Jérémy Bury88
4 Therese Klompenhouweer 73.