Mike Massey Wins Trick Shot Magic Competition

Mike Massey Wins Trick Shot Magic Competition By InsidePOOL StaffFrom October 1-2, 2003, eight of the finest world-class trick shot artists contested for the $25,000 first-place prize at the Trick Shot Magic competition at the ESPNZone in Baltimore, MD. Mike Massey emerged victorious over Andy Segal in the finals, mathematically eliminating him and winning by the score of 11-6.In the preliminary matches on Wednesday, Michael Mossin, Stefano Pelinga, David Pearson, and Tom Rossman were eliminated. The format consisted of five artistic shots and five skill shots each, for a total of twenty shots. In the event of a tie, a sudden death tiebreaker came into play, which was an eight-rail kick shot onto the face of a $100 bill. Successfully completing a shot was worth a point, and a player got two tries to get it right.
In the first semifinal match, Mike Massey, who recently hit the silver screen in "Poolhall Junkies," faced off with Argentina champion Sebastian Giumelli. The expressive Giumelli gave Massey a run for the money, but it became clear after the artistic section was over that Massey was superior, and soon Massey was up 9-5. Giumelli attempted to masse around a stack of six balls to pocket the 8 in the corner, and after two tries, he threw his cue onto the table, disgusted. Massey, whose specialties include masses, made his shot on the second attempt, taking the score to 10-5. At this point, it was mathematically impossible for Giumelli to win, and Massey advanced to the finals.Andy Segal, who is the 2003 WPA World Artistic Pool Bank Shots Champion and the 2003 WPA World Artistic Pool Kick Shots Champion, met Charles Darling in the second semifinal match. This was a great match that seesawed the entire time, and at the end, it was tied 11-all. Segal and Darling were forced to attempt the eight-rail kick shot and land on the face of the $100 bill. Because Segal's shot was the closer of the two, he won and advanced to meet Massey in the finals.Massey, who was the 2000 and 2001 Trick Shot Magic Champion, took the lead early on in the match and never relinquished it. He was confident and charming to the crowd. Segal, despite being a bit nervous, was also quick with a smile. However, soon the score reached 10-4 Massey after he performed an excellent "Cowboy Jimmy Moore" shot. They both missed the next shot, which was Segal's choice, and then Massey missed his shot and Segal made it, bringing the score to 10-5. Now Segal had to not miss a shot and Massey had to miss every one in order for Segal to win. He chose a variation on "The Hustler" shot for his last trick, and both players executed it perfectly, which made Massey the 2003 Trick Shot Magic Champion.1st - Mike Massey $25,0002nd - Andy Segal $5,0003rd/4th - Sebastian Giumelli, Charles Darling $2,0005th/8th - Michael Mossin, Stefano Pelinga, David Pearson, Tom Rossman $1,500Visit InsidePOOL for the latest updates from the sport of billiards and pool.

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