January ,4th Laussane
2017 was a challenging year for the Union Mondiale de Billard, but ultimately a very successful one. The December announcement of doubled prize money for the top players in World Championships and World Cups, as well as the launch of a new series of tournaments in collaboration with Kozoom, was the highlight that ended the year.
A quick chronological look at 2017:
- Bursa (Turkey).
In the shortest (7 innings) final ever played, Frédéric Caudron captures his 17th career World Cup, beating Jaspers 40 - 14.
- Viersen (Germany).
Sung Won Choi and Jae Guen Kim beat Belgium in the final of the World Championships for national teams, played in the Scotch Double format.
- Luxor Egypt).
Dani Sánchez wins the Luxor World Cup and sets a new world record for best tournament average: 2.777. Jaspers is again runner-up.
- Antwerp.
Another victory for Sánchez, in the Supercup. The Spaniard is also Player of the Year.
- Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam).
Eddy Merckx beats Torbjörn Blomdahl in the final of the Ho Chi Minh World Cup.
- Zoersel (Belgium)
The 41-year-old Japanese Orie Hida was the first ever world champion in women's three-cushion. Thirteen years later she returned to the highest stage in Zoersel (Belgium) . Her emotional feelings were intense and modest when the Japanese anthem sounded through the playing room. With her victory, she took her fourth world title in total.
- Porto (Portugal).
A first World Cup win for 25-year old Haeng Jik Kim, after his win in the final against Nguyen Quoc Nguyen.
Wroclaw (Poland).
For the third time in his career (2001, 2005, 2017), Dani Sánchez is the winner of the 3-cushion event in the World Games.
- New York (U.S.A.).
Jae Ho Cho wins the prestigious Verhoeven Open event in the Big Apple, beating Eddy Leppens in the final.
- Los Narejos (Spain).
Carlos Anquita from Valencia is the new junior world champion, denying the favorite Korean talents.
- Seoul (S. Korea).
The invitational LG-U+ Cup was won by Marco Zanetti, in a final against the surprise of the event, Korean Jin Pyo Hong.
- Cheongju (S. Korea).
Shortly after his first World Cup, Haeng Jik Kim won his second. Murat Naci Coklu was the runner-up.
- La Baule (France).
A 44th World Cup win for Torbjörn Blomdahl, who beat Caudron in the final.
- Santa Cruz (Bolivia).
An all-Belgian final in Bolivia, where Caudron took only 9 innings to win the world title for the third time, Merckx his opponent.
- Lausanne (Switzerland).
Dick Jaspers wins the Swiss invitational for the second time, beating Caudron in the final.
- El Gouna (Egypt).
The last World Cup of 2017 goes to Eddy Merckx, who beats Forthomme in the final. With Caudron also on the podium, the year ends in Belgian style.
In 2018, the UMB has another 7 World Cup tournaments on the calendar (Bursa, Ho Chi Minh, Blankenberge, Porto, Korea, La Baule, Hurghada), as well as the World Championship in Cairo (Egypt). In addition, there will be a Continental Cup (an Asia - Europe meeting inspired by the Ryder Cup format) and a Masters series, dates yet to be announced.
- Necochea , 5 Pins World Championship.
Argentina's passion began at the same moment as Alejandro Martinotti lifted his cue in victory, indescribable ovation, cries of Argentina !, Argentina! and an impressive celebration with the World Champion walked on the shoulders of the fans, Argentina at his feet.
commission of the UMB was set up in 2017 to develop the 5-pins game. Twelve countries will participate and the first 5-pins world championship Teams under UMB flag is planned for January 2019 on the next sport session.
2018 will also be the next chapter in the race to Paris 2024. The UMB, through its membership of the WCBS and in close collaboration with the French billiard federation, will make a revitalized effort to give billiards a chance at Olympic status.
UMB.