Hi Nick, it’s a pleasure make you this interview, I want to thank you this opportunity to know more about you.– Lets start, When do you start to play pool?
I was 14 when i started and immediatly i fell in love
– What was your first cue?
I believe that was a buffalo cue.
– Who bought it to you?
My dad bought it for me i believe it was about 120 guilders (50 euro)
– At what age you won your first trophy?
I won the dutch pupil championships 3 months after i hit my first ball 🙂
– and tournament?
I was 17 when I won the dutch masters. Beating Alex Lely in the final.
– What is the history about «El Nino»?
I was 20 years old when I played the European Championships men in Czech. In the quarter final I beat Marcus Chamat in no time with 7 break and runs from the lag (8-ball). Then somebody from the audience named me «El Nino» (as I was still looking like a little boy and played so fast (storm)). Since then the name stuck with me.
– What type of pool do you prefer?
I love straight to practice. But 9ball is my favourite tournsment game.
– You were the most young player to play the Mosconi Cup, What was this experience?
That was thrilling. Teaming up with the best players in the world and playing a few doubles matches with Steve Davis. It was a very good experience which I learned a lot from.
– Do you remember this team?, Who was the European Team?
Chamat, Souquet, Davis, Immonen, Ortmann and me (2002)
– And how many Mosconi Cup did you win?
Lost once
– How many hours do you train every week
Lots of tournament and practice sessions during the week
– How is your training?
Exercises. 14.1. Matches
– Do you have any sponsors?
Yes, Club 8 Amsterdam.
– You have won more titles, in your opinion, What was the most difficult to win?
European 9ball 2009. Final rack is on youtube. I played so slow the last rack because i didnt have 1 easy shot.
This is the video:
– And What tournament make you feel most proud?
All eurotours
– Did you have played in Spain?
yes
– What do you think about the country?
Very nice. A lot of good players and always nice to relax between matches as the weather is always nice
– What is your next tournament?
I am on my way now to the eurotour in Brandenburg (germany)
– What kind of cue case have you?
I need a new good looking one. So if you know somebody 🙂
– And to finish this interview, What have you got in your cue case?
I play with a musashi cue and shaft. I break with a penrose custom break cue. Jumper is from mezz. And some cue tip tools in my case. And somestick to put some extra length on my playing cue which i think is very handy
– Nick thank you very much for giving us the opportunity to do this interview, from Bola-8.es we wish you good luck in your next tournaments!
Thank you very much i wish you all the best