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BATA REYES NO. 3 IN THE TOP 10 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN BILLIARDS PhilBoxing.com Wed, 23 Feb 2011  The Top 10 Most Influential People in the Sport of Billiards The world of billiards is full of great tournaments, shows, championships, and a multitude of diverse events. Champions in both men and women are created as well as legends in the game both on and off the pool table. A combination of media, sponsors, promoters, associations, and players work together to make the world of billiards turn. Today sees pool as a global sport. No longer just a major force on one continent, billiards has transversed over to many countries and become a powerhouse in Asia, Europe, as well as the United States, and grows rapidly in the Middle East and Latin America. A conglomerate of prominent companies,players and people worldwide were polled to vote on who are the most instrumental in the sport today. (The full list of voters are at the bottom of this article) The influences were strong and vast from voters in countries such as South America, Taiwan, China, England, Japan, Africa, Korea, Canada, Philippines, Finland, Austria, Singapore, Germany and the United States. The following are the Top 10 Most Influential People in the Sport of Billiards #1 Matchroom Sport Matchroom Sport (England) - Not surprisingly, a promoter tops our list as the creators of the platform in which players, sponsors, and media perform on. Matchroom Sport impacted a wide array of countries that voted for them, showing its diverse influence. Matchroom Sport was nominated from the big three pool continents of USA, Asia, Europe, and received not only the most individual votes, but also more #1's than any other entity. President and Founder Barry Hearn started this company in snooker and evolved it into a multi-sports giant. Darts, bowling, boxing, fishing are just some of the many televised events they produce. With the help of his capable team led by Luke Riches and Sharron Tokley, Matchroom Sport has made such high profile events as the Mosconi Cup, World Pool Masters, and changed the face of world championship billiards productions with their World Pool Championship. Their recently successful World Pool Cup was a huge hit in Asia. There's no question Matchroom Sport has raised the standard of pool event productions. #2 Dragon Promotions Dragon Promotions (USA/Korea) - Only one other company matched Matchroom Sport in number of different country votes, yet another promoter, Dragon Promotions. Receiving the second highest number of unique voters and points from Europe, Asia,and the USA, there's no question this company's global impact on the billiard world. The duo of partners Cindy Lee and Charlie Williams in 10 years time have created a promotions giant with roots in the United States, but with a far grasp into Asia including South Korea, Philippines, and now China. They have produced over one hundred events including such pinnacle productions as The Women's World 10-Ball Championship,The World Mixed Doubles Classic, and The Predator International Championship. They also revived The World Straight Pool Championship, now the world's oldest and longest running event. Dragon Promotions produces the most international men and women's events with worldwide television coverage. #3 Efren Reyes Efren "Bata" Reyes (Philippines) - It's no magic that the player who received the most international votes and points goes to Reyes. In a professional career spanning 30 years, Reyes has changed the way the game is played with his advanced and unorthodox skills. Winning such prestigious titles as the World Pool Championship, US Open 9-Ball, and record breaking $500,000 1st place win in the World 8-Ball Open. Reyes is also well known as an unmatched all around player in all games. Efren is a bona fide superstar in his homecountry of the Philippines, and can be seen hobnobbing in high society with such stars as World Boxing Champion Manny Paquiao and even the President of the Philippines. Most experts agree that Reyes may be the greatest human being to ever wield a cuestick. #4 Predator Group Predator Group (USA) - The only manufacturer to make our Top 10, Predator has established itself as one of the most recognized billiard brands worldwide. With their sleek marketing and enormous sponsorship of billiard events and players, Predator has proved itself to be a staple supporter of billiards. Founded by former owner Allan McCarty, who envisioned players improving their game through advanced cue technology, Predator's continued rise is currently spearheaded by CEO Karim Belhaj, Chairman John Forrester, and owner Paul Costain. Predator sponsors such renown events as The World Straight Pool Championship, Mosconi Cup, World 9-Ball Championship, and The Predator International Championship. #5 AZBilliards.com AZBilliards.com (USA) - With the majority of votes coming from US soil, this US based company still managed to receive several foreign nods. A pioneer of up to date news online for pool, AZbilliards.com has become synonymous for pool news throughout North America and even other parts of the world. Founded and created by Mike Howerton, who still runs and maintains the iconic news site, AZBilliards is a fountain of information for any pool enthusiast. AZBilliards has brought together fans, industry members, promoters, and players alike to share news and communication in the pool community. #6 World Pool Association World Pool Association - The WPA has helped in uniting the multitude of countries in the pool world come closer together over the years. For two decades now, the WPA has sanctioned events around the world and has made efforts to globalize the sport of pocket billiards. Founded Jorgen Sandman, its first original President, it has passed on over the years its reigns which is now led by Australia's Ian Anderson. Today the WPA helps and sanctions events in countries such as Philippines, United States, China, Qatar, and many parts of Europe. #7 Women's Professional Billiards Association Women's Professional Billiards Association (USA)- Founded in 1976, the WPBA stands as the oldest and longest running pro pool associations in the United States today. Recognized as the most diverse and organized women's pro tour existing in the world today, the WPBA was founded by Palmer Byrd, Madelyn Whitlow, and Larry Miller. The WPBA has kept pool on television through ESPN and helped create international stars such as Jeanette Lee and Allison Fisher. Women players worldwide still frequent US soil to test their skills on the WPBA Pro Tour. #8 American Poolplayers Association American Poolplayers Association (USA) - Though the name states "American Poolplayers", the APA still managed to wrangle some international votes to make the Top 10 list. Founded by visionaries Terry Bell and Larry Hubbart, the APA is currently run by its President Renee Lyle. The APA has grown into the largest amateur league of poolplayers in the world today. Actually, it's the largest organized body of any kind in the billiard industry (so kudos twice). It's membership boasts over 250,000 players. The APA also sponsors billiards events outside its own including the WPBA and pro player Jeanette Lee. #9 ESPN ESPN (USA): The leader in USA sports coverage, ESPN still brings pool to the masses through its coverage of billiards. With coverage of pool events such as The Challenge of Champions, Trickshot Magic, and all the WPBA women's events, ESPN is still one of the pool world's best and direct links to the mainstream masses. #10 Allison Fisher & Jeanette Lee (Tie) Allison Fisher (England) - Only two other players made it to our Top 10, and both women. The beloved Duchess of Doom, Allison Fisher's impact on the billiard world is unquestioned. She received votes from the three major pool continents of USA, Asia, and Europe, surpassing any other women in international votes. Fisher was a national heroine in England through her world dominance in snooker, and then again a household name in pool through her unchallenged record of tournament wins (over 50 majors to date). She became a staple pool figure on ESPN, and set a new standard for women's pool. Considered as their favorite role model by many pro women worldwide, the iconic Allison Fisher is widely regarded as simply the greatest woman's player ever. Jeanette Lee (USA) - While one dominated on the table, this one dominated off the table. Argubaly the most vibrant personality of the sport, Jeanette Lee continues to be the top celebrity of pool in America. Lee is not just a pretty face, but has major titles to back up her resume including a Player of the Year honors and has maintained a Top 10 ranking on the WPBA Tour for most of her career till present day. Lee has been one of very few players to cross over successfully into mainstream US markets, making frequent appearances for mediums such as MTV, ESPN, HBO, and magazines such as Maxim and Sports Illustrated. Garnering a large amount of unique votes and points from the United States, Lee is still going on strong after 20 years of keeping the Black Widow in the mainstream. *Note: Pool is truly globalized today as half of The Top 10(including the top 3 spots) above were outside the US. * * * The Next Six Most below had significant votes but mostly only in one country #11 Aristeo Puyat (Philippines) : Known as The Godfather of Pool, Puyat manages World Champions Efren Reyes, Francisco Bustamante, and Rubilen Amit and is credited as the pioneer of the sport there #12 - Mika Immonen (Finland) : Finland's lone billiard star blew out the poolworld at the end of the decade and easily kept a #1 World Ranking for 2 years #13 -Billiard Congress of America (USA): The 40 year old association still runs and maintains guidance in the USA pool industry with CEO Rob Johnson at the helm #14 - Cue Sports Intenational (USA) : Six years after taking over the BCA Leagues, Mark Grifin's CSI has kept the league healthy and growing in North America #15 - ESPN STAR Sports (Singapore) : With 40 countries and a billion viewers, ESPN Star has given pool an adrenaline shot in the arm and helped it grow in the Far East #16 - Francisco Bustamante (Philippines) : The colorful and deadly Filipino World Champion was only the third Asian ever voted into the Hall of Fame and hailed as a national hero * * * Honorable Mention (Alphabetical order) Accu-Stats (USA) Allen Hopkins Productions (USA) Diamond Billiard Products (USA) European Pocket Billiard Federation (EUR) Michael Panozzo,Billiards Digest (USA) Simonis Cloth (USA/Belgium) Thank you to the voters who participated : Johnny Archer (Men's World Champion) - USA Womens Pro Billiard Association - USA Tai Chengze , Top147.com - Asia Jasmin Ouschan (Ladies World Champion)- EUR Renee Lyle, American Poolplayers Association- USA United King Tables - Africa Jeanette Lee (Top Ladies Pro) - USA Asia Pocket Billiard Union - Asia Luke Riches, Matchroom Sport - EUR Caribbean Billiards Union - S.America Allison Fisher (Ladies World Champion) - EUR Seminole Tribe -USA Mika Immonen (World Champion) - EUR Ivan Lee, Simonis Cloth - USA Yen Mackebenta, Raya Sport - Asia Greg Sullivan, Diamond Billiard Products- USA Kaz Miki, Mezz Cues - Asia Cindy Lee, Dragon Promotions - USA Ralf Souquet (Men's World Champion) - EUR Allen Hopkins, Allen Hopkins Productions- USA Mike Zuglan, Joss Northeast Tour - USA Melvynn Eh (Billiards Media)- Asia Mark Grifin, Cue Sports International - USA Karim Belhaj, Predator Group - USA Mike Panozzo, Billiards Digest - USA Ronnie, Nathanielsz, Viva Sports - Asia Jim Wych (TV Announcer) - CAN Jay Helfert (Author/Analyst) - USA Korea Billiards Association - Asia Stu Mattana (Billiards Expert) - USA Tom George ,Octagon Mgmt - USA Emille Biboy Soriano (TV Announcer)- Asia Kamui Tips - Asia Pool Dawg - USA Yalin Billiards - Asia Verna Mariano, Bugsy Promotions - Asia Flamingo Tour - USA Canadian Womens Tour - CAN Marco Tschudi (Swiss Men's Champion) - EUR Shari Stauch, Pool & Billiard Magazine - USA  |
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