The next World Games will take place from July 25th to August 4th 2013 in the Colombian city of Cali. Thirty two sports will be participating with approximately 3,000 top athletes in this four-yearly multi-sport event, the second largest after the Olympic Games.
Billiards will be represented by four different competitions:
- Nine-Ball Pool, Men: 16 players
- Nine-Ball Pool, Women: 16 players
- Snooker, Men: 16 players
- Three-Cushion Carom, Men: 16 players
All competitions are played based on a knock-out system. Three-Cushion is played to 40 points with equal innings and, if necessary, penalty-shooting.
The previous World Games Carom winners included:
- 2001 Akita (Japan): Dany Sanchez (Spain)
- 2005 Duisburg (Germany): Dany Sanchez (Spain)
- 2009 Kaohsiung (Taiwan): Dick Jaspers (The Netherlands)
During the last final between Dick Jaspers and Marco Zanetti, a 40-40 situation occurred and in the end, penalties decided about Dick Jaspers' victory. The system of penalties has already been used from the beginning of the competition.
All players will arrive on July 24th and will “enjoy” the jet-lag day during which it will be possible to train. All matches will be played on four tables at the same venue from July 26th on. All finals will take place on Tuesday, July 30th.
The Carom competition will be played on Chevillotte-tables clothed by Simonis, with Aramith balls.
The World Games are held under the authority of IWGA (International World Games Association) and supported by the IOC.
In order to accept a sport to the World Games, all athletes must represent their sport on a large geographical scale as much as possible, in combination with the best quality of the sportsmen competing in that particular sport.
The schedule of the first matches is enclosed.
At the time of the publishing of this article, it is not yet sure whether we will be allowed to use live streaming for all matches via Internet. We will keep you informed and publish the eventual links to be able to follow this high-standing billiards competition live.
For more information on the World Games, please visit http://www.worldgames2013.com.co/en/.
UMB