Sports
Upping the stakes
NORMAN — Since Jasmin Ouschan joined the Women’s Professional Billiards Association (WPBA) in 2007, the Austrian-born player has become one of the tour’s biggest stars. She has also been listed among the top 10 women in the annual prize money rankings.
However, despite her success, Ouschan has yet to claim one of the WPBA’s biggest titles. In previous attempts, she has come up empty at the US Open.
“In the past years I have never been that good here,” Ouschan said. “I don’t think there is a particular reason for it. I like the venue, I like the area, the hotel is nice. There is really nothing to complain about. I just think I didn’t play my best game. It’s hard when you have so much competition and so many good players. Sometimes you can’t pull it off.”
Ouschan will try to end that streak, starting today, with the opening round of the US Open at the Riverwind Casino. She enters the 64-player tournament as the top ranked woman in the world. And she wants to leave the same way.
“That would be very special,” Ouschan said. “Finishing No. 1 in the tournament and staying in the No. 1 spot, that would be great. There are a lot of tournaments coming up. Two world championships. A lot of world ranking tournaments in Asia. Winning here would give me a lot of confidence. Since I have been a professional athlete for many years, going to an event like this I always want to win.”
However, Ouschan knows the competition will be steep. Last year’s Open champion, Ga Young Kim, is back to defend her title. Kim was the top-ranked player in the world before Ouschan unseated her.
Also competing is Xiaoting Pan, Karen Corr, Allison Fisher, Vivian Villarreal, Monica Webb and Iris Ranola, who made a surprising run to the semifinals last year.
One player they will all have to be on the look out for is Kelly Fisher. The West Yorkshire, England, native won the Open title in 2008, which was the first year the event had been held in Norman. But she faltered last year and now has her sights set on reclaiming her crown.
“Last year, I was very disappointed not to do better,” Fisher said. “Not to win it. I wanted to keep my title. This year, I want to get it back.”
Yet, Fisher will have to deal with a sprained right wrist, which she hurt last week. She will bandage it up during competition, but she wasn’t going to let it keep her away from the tables.
“I have been practicing,” Fisher said. “I have had no problems. Breaking is the only part I’ve got any trouble with. As for as playing, fortunately it seems to be OK. I am looking forward to it. I have absolutely no qualms with my wrist or anything.”
In order to even get invited to the Open, a player must be ranked in the Top 40 or a state championship winner. If there are any open spots after that, they are filled by rankings.
Tournament action kicks off at 10 a.m. today and runs through Sunday’s championship match. All 64 players enter the event with a shot at making it to the final table. But only a few know exactly what it takes to get there.
“I would love to take home this title,” Fisher said. “I love the venue. I love the arena. The casino has an atmosphere that I really enjoy playing here. I would love nothing more to bring home that title again, and Oklahoma will be my favorite place.”
Michael Kinney 366-3537 mkinney@normantranscript.com
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