The 5th Annual XTM Asia 10-Ball Championships — held Nov. 10-14 at the Hamilton Hotel in Seoul, South Korea — has crowned new champions in both the men's and women's divisions.
In the first semifinal in the women's division, Korean junior champion Gui Young Lee topped Japan's Kaori Ebe, 7-5. The other spot in the final was taken by Japan's Chihiro Kawahara, who dominated good friend Junko Mitsuoka, 7-2.
In the race-to-7 final, Kawahara held the advantage throughout, maintaining a two game lead on her way to the hill, 6-4. Lee managed to get out in tough situations in the next two games, meeting her opponent on the hill, 6-6.
But Kawahara made a tremendous effort on her final break. As the balls scattered around, somehow the 10-ball was kicked upward toward the side pocket and then kissed in by another ball. As the title-clincher rolled into the pocket, Kawahara let out a triumphant yell to celebrate the 7-6 victory, which was worth $3,500.
The first semifinal on the men's side featured arguable the hottest cueist in the world in Mika Immonen. The U.S. Open champion has been on a tear since his victory in Chesapeake, Va., including a win at the IPT Pro-Am just a week ago.
Immonen faced Korean amateur Hwang Yhong, who was making his television debut. Yhong's impressive run would end abruptly at the hands of Immonen, who repeatedly cleared open racks on his way to an easy 8-1 win.
The next semifinal matched good friends Thorsten Hohmann of Germany against Charlie Williams. Hohmann took control of the match early, jumping out to an early 4-1 lead. Williams couldn't get rolling, and the semifinal went to the German, 8-2.
In the race-to-8 final, Immonen looked to be the odds-on favorite against Hohmann. But the German 14.1 ace showed he is more than capable of catching a gear in rotation. Hohmann jumped to a 7-1 lead, then was gifted the final rack after Immonen missed a simple shot on the 8.
Raising his cue seemingly out of relief, Hohmann was glad to get a title under his belt.
"I don't care how I did it, I'm just glad I won," Hohmann said.
For the win, Hohmann collected $10,000, while Immonen pocketed $4,000 for second place.
- Billiards Digest
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