Strickland Crowned At Cardiff

Earl ‘The Pearl’ Strickland, the 41 year-old from Greensboro, North Carolina, has won the 2002 Hasseroder World Pool Championship after beating Francisco Bustamante 17 - 15 in Sunday's final at the Cardiff International Arena.

The match was a thriller with neither player being more than three racks ahead at any time but it was Strickland who came on strong down the home stretch to take the title, his third WPA World Championship.

Bustamante, who had suffered severe personal tragedy earlier this week, when he learned of the death of his baby daughter, lead for most of the match but Strickland gamely stuck with him as neither man could get sufficient momentum to run racks at a time.

The balls so often ran awkwardly after the break and there were an incredible four scratches and one jump off the table during the match.

The CIA was packed to the rafters for the eagerly anticipated clash between the tourney’s two in-form cueman but instead of an explosive rack stringing fest, it turned out to be a cagey tactical battle.

Strickland’s safety play throughout was exemplary and he escaped from Bustamante’s safeties with some quality kick-shots. However, every time Strickland seized the initiative his ensuing break shot failed to deliver the goods.

Strickland grabbed the initiative when 15 - 13 down and looking in danger, as Bustamante scratched on the break as the pool gods frowned on him.

That gave The Pearl the chance he had been praying for and Bustamante never won another rack. In the next Busta got back to the table but Earl had too much in the safety department for him.

The final two racks of the match saw Strickland complete very difficult run-outs and when the final 9-ball dropped Earl jumped onto the match table and started pumping his fists.

Strickland picks up a cheque for $65,000 whilst Bustamante wins $30,000.

www.worldpoolchampionship.com has brought you the most up to date online coverage of the tournament and our review of the final already includes a rack-by-rack run-down of the match and interviews with both players.

We will continue to bring you the reaction and news from the tournament and very soon we will be giving you the chance to get your hands on some exclusive World Pool Championship souvenirs, including the balls used in the final and a signed Michaela Tabb referee's shirt.