3-Cushion
The young European talents in three cushion and players from other parts of the world have been held back in their development by this year of COVID-19 crisis. The last World Junior Championship in Valencia 2019 ended with super-talent Myung-Woo Cho in his last year as the winner and three Koreans on stage. The next World Championship event in the Netherlands was postponed and almost certainly not played.
Was it a year of standstil land stagnation, of desperately waiting for the new start? How do young players deal with the crisis in this important part of their career? Kozoom went in search and starts a series of interviews from now with young billiard players: about the crisis, the future of their careers, the current conditions in their home countries and life without championships, tournaments and competitions. Today part 4: Tom Löwe (24) from Germany.
Name: Tom Löwe
Age: 23
Place of residence: Nettetal (near by Viersen), Germany
Profession/study: Mathematics
Hobby: Watch sports, movies and series
Relationship: Yes
Billiard club: BC Weywiesen (Bottrop)
Sponsor: Royal Pro
Kozoom/Frits Bakker: 1 How do you deal with this long periode in which the COVID crisis dominates the entire world?
Tom Löwe: I have come to terms with the fact that a full season may not be played until 2022. I'm already looking forward to the new start of the entire life. That's what counts.
2. Is this a time of standstill and stagnation in your young career, in which fast development and progression are so important?
Tom Löwe: Yes, because I can't improve much without games and tournaments. During training, the crucial mistakes that could be very painful in a tournament, are not noticed. Also, you can't train your mental situation well, because you're not under pressure like in a game.
3. How is the current situation in your home town and your country in relation to COVID-19?
Tom Löwe: In my home town we have 41 infected people per 100.000 inhabitants. The numbers are well on their way, but most of the shops, restaurants and sports clubs are closed.
4. How are the conditions for training for you? How much can you practice every day or week?
Tom Löwe: I have a table at home and I train almost every day. But there were times when I only practiced once a week when a new lockdown was announced.
5. How does life look for you without championships, tournaments and competitions?
Tom Löwe: I study, I have a part-time job in a supermarket and finally I have time to watch football in the weekends.
6. What is your country or federation doing to develop careers of young talents?
Tom Löwe: The DBU, German federation, organizes four weekend trainings per year for the best and most talented players (unfortunately less due to Covid). Christian Rudolph is the adult coach and Jürgen Kühl is the coach of the under 21 players. This is a very good approach to improve yourself and also to form a team. The financial resources, unfortunately, are not enough to send more than two German players to World Cups. I would like to take the next step and present myself well at World Cups, but the DBU has not yet been able to support me.
7. How do you see your future as a sportsman and possibly as a professional billiard player?
Tom Löwe: I aim to be a professional, but I think it will be much more difficult after the crisis, because many sponsors and billiard cafes are in financial problems. Still, I will give it all to make my dream come true to become a professional.
Tom Löwe, looking forward to the new start
Tom Löwe would like to play more World Cups with the support of his federation