The World championship on an artistic pool: with кием, a bottle and a boot (№6 (18) from January, 20th, 2009)

Whether often we see, how at traditional competitions on billiards in billiard pockets flies at once on some spheres? Or how биток moves on an intricate curve? Or how it jumps through other spheres? Not often. And in artistic billiards such in the nature of things. Moreover, spectators see blows which are simply inconceivable in usual game. For example, blow on a moving sphere, перескок through the machine or a starting at once three битков. In indicative performances such accessories, as a bottle, a wardrobe trunk for киев and even … a boot are quite often applied

It is a little history

The artistic pool – rather new, but quickly developing direction of world billiards, it is officially recognised by the world association of a pool (WPA) and finds all new and new adherents worldwide. Since 2000 WPA holds the official World championships on artistic billiards, and since 2001 – the European championships. The first in territory of Russia (the third under the account) the European championship has taken place in March, 2004 in Petersburg in club "Leader" and has passed with tremendous success. And here, after more than three years, in northern capital of Russia the best virtuosos of an artistic pool, this time not only Europe, but also all world again have gathered. To Petersburg on the eighth championship of a planet there have arrived all live legends of the artistic pool, all world champions and Europe, winners of the largest international tournaments.

Players

Who these magicians кия and a sphere, arrived to Petersburg from 10 countries: Poland, the USA, Italy, Argentina, Germany, Ukraine, Mexico, Romania, Denmark and Russia? First of all, 60-year-old American Mike Messi by a nickname Tennessijsky Tarzan – the quadruple world champion, the author and the first executor of variety of tricks, in a world rating it occupies the first line. Its immemorial contender is Tom Rossman (Doctor Ky) who distinguishes unsurpassed virtuosity and art to light public. Rather original player Charles Darling by a nickname Charlie Blowing Bitok. It has received such original name that at execution of one of tricks in demonstration performances посы barks биток from a mouth, blows it on a table. Darling – the world champion of 2001.

In the most numerous group of players of the USA (10 persons) Andy Sigal (Conjurer), the winner of a command cup of the world of 2007, Eric Jou (Preacher) – the world champion 2006 on blows to weight, Bruce Bartlett (Healthy fellow) – the prize-winner of a command cup of the world 2007 and, to - нечно, corpulent enough Afro-American Nejt Brajent (the Thin person from Okinawa) – the president of the International committee on an artistic pool and the sports director of the present World championship are allocated also.

But at Americans very strong contenders. He/she is the champion of Europe of 2004, the owner of a cup of the world of 2007 Italian Stefano Pelinga (Master), Pole Lukash Shivala (Beliefs - ная the Hand) – the world champion of 2004 and the owner of a cup of the world-2007, the first European who has broken monopoly of the USA on possession by a world artistic crown, and Argentinean Sebastjan Shumelli (Matador) – the fifth number in a world rating. Russia in the World championship represented Michael Mosin (the Russian Mike Messi) – the twice champion of Europe in separate kinds of an artistic pool and Arcady Loshakov (Professor) – the secretary general of the International committee on an artistic pool.

Except the above-named sportsmen, the Kaiser (Germany), Jim Sommer (Denmark), Sergey Vaskovsky and Alexander Kasyanov (Ukraine), Javier Gomes (Mexico) and Gabriel Visoju (Romania) have taken part in the championship Mark Dimik, Steve Geller, David Nengl (USA), Marseilles.

Eight артистически х disciplines

In an artistic pool exists eight disciplines: трюковые and the entertainment blows modernised and special blows, delays, накаты, onboard blows, blows of the set force and the size, перескоки and weight (blows of the highest category of complexity). To tell about them it is possible very fascinatingly and long, but it is much better to see them performed by the strongest masters of the world. This impressing show on the verge of a fantasy. In each of the named disciplines the best sportsmen are defined, but the world champion is the one who will type a great sum of points in all eight disciplines.

Heroes of the eighth championship

Before the tournament beginning small interrogation among participants on a theme who has been spent becomes the world champion. 90 % have answered – Mike Messi, the authority and skill of this sportsman are so great. And Mike, has really, excellently begun performance at a preliminary stage and without problems has reached a semi-final. But here the American veteran has trembled – the road to the ending to it was blocked by hazardous Argentinean Sebastjan Shumelli grown fond to the Petersburg fans. The disappointment of Messi and its admirers has appeared strong.

And at this time from an opposite part of standings to the ending the representative of young generation of actors in a pool of Lukash Shivala and the representative of average generation Andy Sigal successfully moved ahead. However, it was possible to name each of this magnificent four the hero of the championship. Their skill and a will to win simply admired.

So, the ending: Шумелли against Sigala. This duel held both participants, and spectators in extreme pressure. When finalists have executed last blow, it has appeared that both have typed identical quantity of points – on 141. Such yet done not happen in one World championship. Who the winner? Who will manage a crown of the champion?

After small the sports director of the championship of Nejt Brajent has suggested participants to make confusion on one, chosen by it – Nejtom – to blow which will decide destiny of "gold". Pressure has reached the peak. Шумелли, alas, could not use attempt, nerves and skill have appeared more strong at Sigala. He is a champion of the world-2007! The second step on a podium upset Shumelli has occupied, the third – Messi. Winners in separate disciplines of a steel of E.Sigal (three times), M.Messi, B.Bartlett, L.Shiva-la, S.Shumelli and G.Visoju.

Arcady Loshakov, secretary general Mezhdunar of one committee on артисти ческому to a pool:

– Without any exaggeration it is possible to tell that it was the best World championship from all spent. Both from the point of view of hospitality, and from the point of view of the conditions given to all participants. All has been made at the highest level. It concerns and colourful opening ceremony, and to an extended coverage in mass-media. It is enough to tell that transfers and shootings conducted four television channels. It is necessary to give due to club "Leader" where took place the championship, and to its general director Pavel Timetsu, the basic organizer of tournament.

As to the sports party participation in tournament almost all stars of an artistic pool has defined level of skill and intensity of struggle, especially in a semi-final and the ending. All waited for Mike Messi's victory, but it has got to Andy Sigalu. In the best form there was Sebastjan Shumelli, I never saw it in so fine sports condition. It directly worked wonders, and it is a pity that to it has not sufficed absolutely slightly to a victory. And Mike Messi, visible, simply tired. But this virtuoso of an artistic pool as was great so it and remained. Not casually still during lifetime it is written down in the Hall of glory of the billiard congress of America.

The ending became any incomprehensible fireworks. Andy Sigal has appeared more successful here, and we have received the new king of an artistic pool.

Boris Kamensky («Drive a sphere!») specially for «БМ