German Thorsten Hohmann defeated Alex Pagulayan of Canada 17-10 to become World Pool Champion in Cardiff on Sunday night. Hohmann was in front from the start and although Pagulayan had his chances it was the German who showed the more consistent form in the final.
Hohmann was a relative unknown coming into the championships a mere 1,000-1 outsider. However, he made the pool world stand up and notice when he defeated an in-form Francisco Bustamante in the quarter-finals, before dispatching another tournament favourite Earl Strickland 11-4 in the semis.
The likable 24-year-old could hardly contain his delight as he punched the air having sunk the final 9-ball.
"This will take a long time to sink in but I'm going to have a party and then try and think about what this all means," he said.
"I'm the youngest world champion ever, I think, and all the time and effort over the years has paid off. I was in the German army for five years and they gave me the opportunity to practise every day. I was running 400 balls in practice and I knew I could become the champion.
"In April, I left the army and I didn't know whether to do pool for a living. I didn't have much money so I was going to start a college course in business this month but because of the World Pool Championship, that will start next January.
"To me the title of World Pool Championship is more important than the money but the $65,000 will be nice. I plan to take my girlfriend on holiday and send my mum and dad away to somewhere nice."
Pagulayan had ousted Malta's Tony Drago in the semi-finals. He was philosophical in defeat.
"I had my chances but unfortunately I just missed too many shots," he said.
"But I would like to say well done to the other guy... I'm sorry I can't pronounce his name!"
The tournament should prove to be a stepping stone for Hohmann to establish himself further in world pool. Also it should prove a problem for Matchroom chief Barry Hearn.
"Last year, I promised the Mosconi team that they would be allowed to defend their title, but now we have another European world champion so that will be a difficult decision," he said.
Drago is also in the reckoning to make the Mosconi Europe team. But, leaving out a world champion would indeed be a very difficult decision to make.