Pool fans have been fortunate enough to witness many captivating contests, inspiring stories and sensational shots this year. In an ever-changing landscape, the players continue to deliver astonishing moments on the table.
From Jayson Shaw’s Hanoi Open triumph in front of one of the greatest audiences pool has ever seen to the greatness Ko Ping-Chung displayed in landing an elusive US Open success, it has been a truly incredible year for the game.
Matchroom Pool have explored new territories on the World Nineball Tour and continue to reach new heights, while Predator’s Pro Billiards Series have equally pushed the sport forward and allowed players to make a name for themselves.
Absolute Pool have selected our Shot of the Year, Match of the Year, Tournament of the Year, Young Player of the Year and Player of the Year to round off a groundbreaking season.
Shot of the Year – Jayson Shaw – Hanoi Open final
Jayson Shaw’s scintillating three-rail cut shot on the three ball in the fourth rack of the Hanoi Open final against Albin Ouschan was simply astonishing, especially when hearing the raucous roar which followed it from the thousands in attendance.
Vietnamese pool fans are extremely knowledgeable and they know a sensational shot when they see one, and that audacious effort from eventual champion Shaw deserved the reception that it received.
Joshua Filler’s pinpoint safety execution when playing doubles alongside Francisco Sanchez Ruiz at the Mosconi Cup is a close second, while Chris Melling’s three-rail two ball to middle pocket against Shane van Boening in the Premier League was another scintillating shot.
Match of the Year – Dang Jinhu v Marc Bijsterbosch – Spanish Open final
Bearing in mind that there have been three Matchroom major finals this season that have needed a deciding rack, selecting one match that deserves to be recognised as the greatest of the year is certainly an arduous choice.
Jayson Shaw and Albin Ouschan’s final in Vietnam as well as David Alcaide and Anton Raga’s title decider at the European Open provided drama at its finest, although Dang Jinhu and Marc Bijsterbosch’s Spanish Open showpiece edges those.
Neither eventual champion Dang nor Bijsterbosch were expected to reach the business end, but the shotmaking skills and sheer brilliance on display from both created a match which was later dubbed as one of the greatest finals ever seen.
An honourable mention has to go to last month’s World Teams Championship final between Germany and Chinese Taipei. Somehow, Pia Filler executed a nerveless spot shot on the ten ball for $120,000 alongside Joshua Filler and Moritz Neuhausen.
Francisco Sanchez Ruiz’s 10-9 win over Fedor Gorst in the World 10-Ball Championship semi-finals was another blockbuster, where exceptional safety play from Sanchez Ruiz won him the match via the three-foul rule in the deciding rack.
In addition, Seo Seoa’s 9-8 victory over the legendary Kelly Fisher in the Women’s World Championship quarter-finals deserves all the plaudits, with Fisher notably missing a match-winning nine ball to cap off a dramatic encounter.
Tournament of the Year – Hanoi Open
Matchroom Pool launched open championships in both Spain and Vietnam this year and both were roaring successes, however, the Hanoi Open was particularly special and proved the undeniable appetite for nineball pool in Vietnam.
Albin Ouschan and Jayson Shaw both provided a tremendous final for the knowledgable audience, and the atmosphere produced by those thousands of fans in attendance was incredible for the game.
In addition, the stories which unfolded on Vietnamese shores were captivating ones as teenage sensation Bernie Regalario from the Philippines defeated US Open champion Ko Ping-Chung and his compatriot Kyle Amoroto reached his maiden major quarter-final.
Young Player of the Year – Moritz Neuhausen
There’s only one real contender when it comes to a youngster who has experienced a real breakthrough year. Moritz Neuhausen only turned 20 in November, although the German prodigy already has an array of accolades to his name.
Neuhausen reached the final of the World Cup of Pool and won the World Teams Championship for Germany alongside Joshua Filler, and defeated both Shane van Boening and Ko Ping-Chung on his way to winning his maiden WNT ranking title at the Connecticut Open.
Player of the Year – Ko Ping-Chung
No has can dispute the fact that this award is between Ko Ping-Chung and Joshua Filler – perhaps that’s a slight ignorance towards Eklent Kaci and Francisco Sanchez Ruiz. However, those four players have been the prominent stars who have produced the most brilliance throughout this year.
Sanchez Ruiz fended off the surprise package Mohammad Soufi to become world nineball champion for the first time in Poland, before reaching the World 10-Ball Championship final and winning the Premier League Pool. The Spaniard continued his 2022 form into this year but experienced a less spectacular second half of the season.
Kaci was crowned World 10-Ball Championship in Las Vegas, beating the then seemingly unstoppable Sanchez Ruiz in the final, before adding to that with UK Open glory and a run to the World Pool Masters final.
The Albanian was undoubtedly the man of the moment up until his freak off-road car accident mid-season, which not only ruined any momentum that he had gained but also proved costly in him qualifying for the European team at the Mosconi Cup.
Filler, meanwhile, may have been unable to capture any televised tournaments on the World Nineball Tour, which would have been a bitter disappointment for someone of his calibre, but the German won the China Open, the Qatar Open and four successive titles on the Euro Tour.
Having also topped the AZBilliards money leaderboard in 2023, Filler played a crucial role in Europe’s dominant Mosconi Cup triumph, sealing the MVP award for the three time in his illustrious career.
Both the WPA-sanctioned China Open and the Qatar Open had weaker fields in comparison to Matchroom’s prestigious events, and that doesn’t take anything away from Filler’s achievements but favours Ko Ping-Chung’s claim for player of the year.
Ko’s US Open triumph and the scintillating standard he produced towards the business end in Atlantic City was nothing short of sensational. He potted the one ball on thirteen consecutive breaks between the semi-finals and the final, and was in relentless form.
Also a World 10-Ball and UK Open quarter-finalist, the Taiwanese sensation made the Qatar Open final, won the Maldives Open as well as the Sharks International Open, and reached the inaugural Hanoi Open semi-finals in front of almost 3,000 spectators in Vietnam.
