Hohmann on Top of the World

Hohmann on Top of the WorldThorsten “The Hitman” Hohmann just triumphed over “Marvelous Marlon” Manalo in the finals of the IPT’s North American Open 8-Ball Championship. Playing to a packed house, the two battled to double-hill before Hohmann broke and ran out the final game.Michael Buffer announced the players and then rolled out with his famous phrase, modified slightly to suit the occasion. “Ladies and gentlemen, let’s get ready to rack ‘em!” Hohmann won the lag but made nothing on the break, and Manalo cleared the table, winning the first game. Manalo then broke and ran out the following rack for a 2-0 lead.IPT discussion forumFinals image gallery
After a dry break by Manalo, Hohmann won the next three games in a row to take the lead for the first time in the match. When he came up dry on his break, Manalo strolled around the table, weighing his options, and chose stripes. Attempting a combo on the 11, he hung it in the corner pocket, and Hohmann cleared for a 4-2 lead. A rattled 11 ball down the rail put Manalo back in the game, though, and he won two in a row to tie again. Yet another empty break by Manalo gave Hohmann one game, but another rattled ball let Manalo in to get two racks, making it 6-5 in his favor. Manalo came up dry again, and Hohmann dished up but popped the cue ball into the side pocket on his next break. Not knowing whether or not he would even see the table again, he watched Manalo run out to reach the hill. But his last break came up dry. Hohmann chose stripes and cleared to make it a double-hill match. He strode determinedly to the table for the very last game and broke, making the 9 ball. He chose solids and exhibited no hesitation at all as he cleared the table for the 8-7 victory. After a speech in which he thanked tour founder Kevin Trudeau first and foremost, followed by his friends, fans, sponsors, and the audience, Hohmann was presented with $350,000 in cash and an enormous silver trophy. He smiled, looking happy and relaxed, and conversed with reporters easily.“I wasn’t nervous at all, the entire match,” Hohmann reported. “I felt really confident, I had a good night’s sleep, slept eight hours, and woke up still full of confidence because of yesterday. I just enjoyed the match. I could’ve won even higher—I wasn’t nervous, I just took my eyes off the ball. Charlie [Williams] was there for me and said just do it, you’ve done it so many times this week, you can do it again. I had my chance, on that last run-out, my mom could’ve run out that last rack, it was so easy, so I’m thankful, and maybe it was my destiny.”Visit Inside POOL Magazine for the latest news from the sport of billiards and pool.

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