In a battle of two former finalists, Albin Ouschan of Austria got the monkey of his back as he outplayed USA’s Shane Van Boening to clinch the 2016 World 9-ball Championship with an emphatic 13-6 victory.
At the Al Arabi Sports Centre yesterday, Ouschan was in his elements as he showed why he his touted as pool’s exciting talent. At just 25, Ouschan showed the composure of a veteran to outgun the experienced Van Boening.
Ouschan collected $40,000 for his victory, while Van Boening had to be content with $20,000 for second year in a row. The American had lost to Taiwan’s Ko Pin Yi in the title clash last year, but it was after two and a half hours of gruelling encounter that he had gone down 11-13.
Yesterday, though, Van Boening was put on the back foot by Ouschan right from the beginning. Ouschan sped to an 8-3 lead when he gave Van Boening a chance to make a comeback after a missing a strike. Van Boening did manage to pull back couple of frames but gave it away on a platter as Ouschan ran away with the victory.
It was a well-deserved triumph for Ouschan, though. The Austrian had a tough draw in the tournament and he overcame the odds to take his first World title, the second member in his family to clinch the crown. His sister Jasmin Ouschan is a former women’s world champ.
“When I lost in the final two years ago, I was in tears. I was crying at home and it was a tough pill to swallow. But I was very determined to get back into the game and focus again. I had won the China Open, so I was confident of coming into the World Championship. Now I am here, finally having won, so I am very proud of myself,” said Ouschan, who celebrated the big moment with a pump of both the fists.
“I was very focussed on my game. I took my time and practised hard. After my win in the last 16, I told myself that I could win here. But you just have to keep on playing and then in the end see the result. I am glad it turned out in my favour,” he added.
With his runner up finish here two years ago, his win at the brutally tough China Open, his successful Mosconi Cup appearance, and a slew of wins and top finishes in European events, Ouschan was one of the contenders. Now after being crowned as the world champ, he has established himself as the one to beat.
“I am probably No.1 in the ranking now but there is a lot more to do. In two or three weeks’ time the China Open starts. Hopefully I can go and defend my title there. Then there is US Open in October. It’s a very tough tournament as there are more than 200 players competing. But I am looking forward to it. I don’t want to talk big but I would like to win that too,” he said.
So will his life change after a magical night in Doha? “Of course it changes my bank balance,” Ouschan offered. “It will surely change my life I know. I was just waiting for it. I knew I could be the world champion, I was here runner-up two years ago. So it was just a matter of time, I guess.”
Earlier in the morning session, Ouschan beat Alex Pagulayan 11-4 in the semi-finals. Chinese Taipei-born Pagulayan, who now represents Canada in international tournaments, was denied of a chance at repeating his feat in 2004 when he won the world 9-ball crown in Taipei against hometown bet Chang Pei-Wei. In the other semi-final, Van Boening came out on top against Yu Hsuan of Chinese Taipei 11-9.
The 2016 World 9-ball Championship was hosted by The Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation (QBSF), and is sanctioned by the World Pool-Billiard Association, the governing body of the sport of pool.
 
RESULTS
Final: Albin Ouschan (AUT) bt Shane Van Boening (USA) 13-6
Semi-finals: Albin Ouschan bt Alex Pagulayan (CAN) 11-4; Shane Van Boening bt Cheng Yu Hsuan (TPE) 11-9