ONE SHOT…ONE INCH…ONE POINT!! “THE SHOT HEARD ROUND THE TABLE”

 

In all sport there comes a time when…what seems to be impossible…becomes a reality. On June 7 & 8, 2003, the 4th Annual WPA World “Artistic Pool” Championship took place at the Greenglade Club in Kiev, Ukraine, Europe. That fact is not surprising when a person studies the short history of this magnetic cuesport artform. “Artistic pool” is player addictive, fan friendly, media inspiring, and sponsor attracting. With a major foundation in the amateur and junior ranks since 1993, it now offers the pro side of pocket billiards something, that is creating a revival within the international billiard arena. “Positive”, “upbeat”, “spirit lifting”, “dynamically different”, and just plain “fun” are a few words to describe “artistic pool”. It challenges the mind, body, soul, and heart in its search for a comprehensive understanding of our sport. Plus, it demonstrates a three-fold message in 1) Professional image, 2) Professional demeanor, and Professional skills.
Enough said about this all encompassing umbrella skill structure of 8 disciplines. The world championship includes a 40 challenge program, in which the international superstars of this unique competition gather to take 3 attempts at each…based on a Degree of Difficulty (DOD) from 5 to 11. A 1st attempt make scores the DOD value, while a 2nd attempt make scores one point less than the DOD, and a 3rd attempt make scores two points less than the DOD. In some cases, a special scoring process is used and appropriate points are earned for complying with the objective of that particular shot/challenge. The goal of each player is to score as many points as they can to win positional and/or specific discipline honors.
The highest score since the inaugural world event in 2000 was 193 points. It was felt among the players that someone would eventually reach the 200 mark and slightly beyond, and anyone doing so would surely win that respective championship. This world championship would take a different course and eliminate any doubt that the “200” barrier could be reached. Discipline scoring history also would be challenged and each “artistic pool” hopeful, as well as, each tried and true veteran would discover the hunger of winning and performance to another level.
Instead of doing a play-by-play analysis of this amazing event, I will highlight a few areas of interest. The whole story would be almost impossible to convey in writing. Each event has been more exciting than the last, so I suggest that you take the time to attend “any” event where “artistic pool” is being held. Let me help you experience this one, just in case you didn’t make it…with some competitive notes and event recap.

A) Players: 11 total – 5 from North America, 5 from Europe, and 1 from South America
B) Conditions: Excellent – 9 foot pro tables with 860 Simonis cloth
C) Weather: Sunny – no rain in forecast
D) Sponsors: WPA Artistic Pool Division, “Dr. Cue”® Promotions, GTS Ministries, and many others…too numerous to mention
E) Awards: Overall champion trophy, discipline medals, sportsmanship award
F) Titles: 2003 WPA World Artistic Pool Champion and 2003 WPA World Discipline Champions (8 total).
G) Prize Fund: $6000 added
H) Format: 4 rounds (2 disciplines per round)…with 3 player groups (4/4/3)
I) Table Judges: Sergey and Maxim (Ukraine)
J) Scorekeeper: Veka (Ukraine)
K) Tournament Director: Steve Lillis (USA)
L) Translator: Arkadiy Loshakov (Russia)
M) Promoter: Dimitrij Yushkovskij (Ukraine)
N) Other: TV and Media production crews on site with multiple cameras (Ukraine)
O) Special Events: GTS Show after competition on last day, plus players showing their favorite shots in an entertaining and audience responsive presentation
P) Kiev Tour: Sightseeing on June 9th – Great sites…beautiful!!
Q) Artistic Pool Website: www.artisticpool.org
R) Players Meeting: Initial for event, plus special development of IAPA (International Artistic Poolplayers Association) – Individual and business memberships available and welcome!

Play began on day 1 with Tom “Dr. Cue”® Rossman (USA), 2002 ESPN Trick Shot Magic Champion, taking an early 1st round lead by winning the 1st 2 disciplines with record scores. Charles Darling (USA), 2001 WPA World Champion…in 2nd, and Stefano Pelinga (Italy), 2001/2002 ESPN Trick Shot Magic Runner-up…in 3rd. Andy Segal (USA), a superstar of “artistic pool” held the 4th position in his 1st ever world event.
Round 2 actions saw Pelinga moving into 1st place with a stellar performance. Mike Massey (USA), 2000/2002 WPA World Champion and 2000/2001 ESPN Trick Shot Magic Champion, moved from 5th to 2nd, Darling drifted to 3rd, and Ralph Eckert (Germany), a gladiator in “artistic pool” competitions and entertaining showman of our sport, moved into 4th place in his first appearance at a world championship.
Day 2 started out with no major changes in round 3, except for a South American by the name of Sebastian Giumelli (Argentina), who was making a slow, but steady move since the beginning through this expert field of players…all the way now to 3rd place. Those of you that know Sebastian understand his fierce competitive discipline, yet friendly winning smile for those that share “artistic pool” on and off the table. Massey, Pelinga, and Eckert remained in their respective positions from Round 2. Darling, Rossman, and Segal were still alive, but realizing that it was time to make a “big” move.
Round 4 always creates a “stir” among the players and fans alike, as all competitors are in the main arena at the same time, each shooting the same shot, and then rotating who goes first on the next challenge. Massey was determined in defending his prior year world title from Willingen, Germany, as his Jump Discipline skills moved him into 1st place over Pelinga, but only by 4 points. Giumelli continued his 3rd place hold, as he engaged each shot with emotion and grace. Segal rang a loud bell as he surged from 7th to 4th. Darling, Eckert, and Rossman could still explode in the Masse Discipline and give the established position leaders something to think about.
9 out of the 11 players made the “passing lane” half masse, having little effect on positional standings, but Pelinga gained one more point on Massey…to remain only 3 points behind in his race for champion honors. Time was running out as each player brought his cue to a “vertical” position for masse #2 thru masse #5. This extremely difficult artform is left for last due to the toll it takes on the table, the pressure it renders each player, and the excitement of that “one shot” that could make a difference in victory or defeat. This world event would be no different in how vital the “masse” is in determining a winner, in more ways than one.
The “hustler masse”, a 2-ball/same-pocket specialty, was skillfully made by most of the players. Giumelli and Segal stumbled slightly with a miss, with Giumelli remaining in 3rd ,but tied with Darling who made the shot. Segal…now in 5th. Eckert and Rossman both gained ground. A “reverse masse” for the 3rd challenge is a “twister”, where the cue ball hits a side cushion and “twists back/masses around a “wall of 6 balls” to an awaiting object ball by the corner pocket. Massey made this creative challenge and took an 11-point lead over Pelinga, who missed it. Giumelli remained in 3rd with a make, and Darling took solo possession of 4th. Eckert…now in 5th. Segal missed and fell into a 6th place tie with Rossman, who just made the first 3 masses.
The reality was slowly setting in to all the players that either Massey or Pelinga would be the eventual champion, since the point spread was too great now between 2nd and the remaining places. A “race” for 1st and a “race” for 3rd were evident. On the difficult 4th masse the cue ball must travel 2 diamond segments up table…completely past an awaiting object ball by the side pocket, and then make an abrupt turn 180 degrees to make the ball. Massey missed, leaving the window open for Pelinga, who made this “monster masse” and trailed by only one point now. The 3rd place “talent search” was heating up. Darling made the 4th challenge…moving into 3rd place. Giumelli missed and fell to 4th. Rossman made another and moved into 5th. Eckert made a valiant effort, but fell short of his target, and landing in 6th place for the time being.
The stage was set! If Massey makes the 5th masse on the 1st attempt, it is over. This ultimate skill test is the extreme challenge for masse artisans. The cue ball travels across the width of the table, goes around a piece of chalk in a 90-degree or greater right turn. The chalk is strategically placed close to the distant side rail. The cue ball then goes down the length of the table…to hopefully make a resting object ball next to the corner pocket. Massey missed on 3 attempts, so Pelinga had 3 chances to become the 2003 WPA World Champion. 1st attempt – miss…2nd attempt – miss…3rd attempt – the crowd drew silent, the famous “pin drop” of focus could be heard. The cue ball took its assigned mission well, made the turn, and everyone, including Massey thought it was gone. But, oh…for that solitary “inch” on the ruler and that solitary “point” on the score sheet. The cue ball missed by the smallest of margins. Massey maintained his World Champion status for another year. Stefano shared Massey’s moment of victory and yet his own moment of defeat.
But, another fire raged for 3rd place, possibly more exciting than the race for 1st, if that was possible. Segal shot first…making the shot on his 2nd attempt…surging into 3rd place, putting Darling in 4th, Giumelli in 5th, and Rossman in 6th. Rossman was up next…trying to make “artistic pool” history by making all 5 masse shots and wanting to move up the ladder to 3rd. 3rd attempt – a “miracle” – gone!! Another discipline record and moving into 3rd place. Segal fell to 4th, Darling cascaded to 5th, and Giumelli now held the 6th spot. Darling and Eckert both took the challenge to the 3rd attempt with discipline and focus, but no score could be posted. Giumelli was the only player left to shoot and could determine his future by a skillful wielding of his cue. And, skillful it was!
The 2nd attempt was a “thing of beauty and a joy forever”, to quote Keats!! Perfect!! Giumelli had taken 3rd place on one shot…moving all the way from 6th. Rossman finished in 4th and Segal in 5th, both with a fleeting glance at the 3rd place position. Darling settled in 6th and Eckert in 7th …both with a great performance.
Each player from 1st to 6th scored over 200 points – yes, over 200!! On any given day, that score would be enough to win, but on any given day, it obviously would not. That’s “artistic pool”…at its finest hour. The positions of finish for 8th thru 11th were as follows: 8th – Bodgan Wolkowski (Poland), the European Champion for 2002, and superstar of “artistic pool” entertainment, 9th – Lukasz Szywala (Poland), the runner-up in the 2003 European Championship, multi-champion in 9-ball, and youthful “crusader” of “artistic pool”, as he enjoyed his 22nd birthday during the event, 10th – Michael Mossin (Russia), monikered by many as the “Mike Massey of Russia”, exhibiting an awesome stroke and speaking a universal language of billiards, and 11th – Nick Mannino (USA), who possesses a champion 9 ball game, world caliber “artistic pool” skills, and a sharing attitude second to now. Note: Discipline champions and other event details follow.
Congratulations to each player, and a special thanks to everyone that made it all possible. Sharing…caring…bonding…learning…teaching…laughing…enjoying – these are words to remember for such moments that we experienced in Kiev.

Submitted by, Tom “Dr. Cue”® Rossman

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