Among the qualifiers for next month’s China Open is Kurt Maflin, a Londoner now flying the flag for Norway.
Kurt won four matches to qualify for Beijing, a more than creditable performance, and compiled four centuries, including the highest of the qualifiers, 140.
He moved to Norway after entering into a relationship with Anita Rizzuti, a Norwegian women’s player. They have a son, Neon.
Maflin will hope his own name will shortly be up in lights after booking a meeting with Chinese hero Ding Junhui, if he can first beat a local wildcard.
Now 27, Maflin began playing at the age of four and honed his skills at New Cross in London.
Her enjoyed a fine junior career and turned professional in 2001 but, like so many, found it very difficult to stay on the tour.
In Norway, he ran a snooker club with Anita but returned to competitive action to win the 2006 IBSF world amateur title.
He got back on the tour, fell off again but returned through winning the European play-offs last year.
All this came after an accident a few months earlier in which he slipped on some ice and broke his collar bone, leaving him requiring a six inch plate and seven screws in his shoulder.
An even bigger break followed when he made a 147 in the first Players Tour Championship event in Sheffield.
Maflin can now look forward to an appearance in the final stages of a ranking tournament for the first time, rubbing shoulders (or maybe not, given his misfortune) with the game’s biggest names.
22 comments:
It is a shame that Kurt's run and indeed that of the next lowest ranked man to make it through - Jimmy White - may be brought to an end by a wild card. Mr Hearn should look again at this, Chinese players are the most improved and are playing on home soil, why should all the efforts of those who made it through be undermined in a way that could not happen to higher ranked players? I know this debate is far from new, but there is no need for this round in China now and given the extra money Mr Hearn has brought to the game I'm very surprised he has not, at least, offered to bring back a prize bonus for these matches.
I think Hearn should look at the imbalance of some of the qualifiers playing a wildcard, and some not? Maybe no wildcards is the answer, maybe going back to having all 16 play a wildcard is the answer? There should certainly be some financial bonus for winning this difficult round, or even a ranking points incentive.
Dave- any clues as to how many players have entered Q-school? 50? 100? a few hundred? Do you know what the format will be with regards any possible seeding? How many frames per match? Also, it seems to be a secret how many frames will be played in the PTC finals....surely it's not all best of 7's again is it?
The problem with wildcards is that, though unfair, the Chinese are putting the money up so if they want them they will have them but I agree the players should receive money for playing an extra match
There have been around 50 entries so far for Q School - fewer than expected - but players being relegated can also play in it so I'd expect with them and late entries it would be nearer to 100
I'd imagine the PTC finals would be best of seven in the early rounds
According to the provisional order of play all matches will be best of 7.
it costs £1,000 to enter so any tom dick will not enter and risk loosing that cash if they think they not good enough.
only the cream or the wealthy will enter.
yes PTC is Best of 7 in every Round.
Really surprised at the low level of entry to the Q School, but £1000 is a lot of money to risk. Managed to get a team of backers together for Allan Taylor on the blog so hopefully he can bag one of the places!
but if it was nothing to enter anyone with a walking stick would enter at least like this only genuine hopefuls will put up the money.
i think thats not a bad thing.
WS should make the price around £600 next year because if there is 50 entries now then they are making £50k but if there is 100 entrants with the lower price then they will make £60k, they should have researched whether £1000 was a good price, or a lower price to be more profitable.
Dave the qualifiers for the World Championship are imminent, but what about the 1st round Crucible draw? Would you happen to know anything yet about it being streamed online or on the radio or anything like that?
Since only 24 players actually make the cut, then 50 entries may be more than enough if there is real quality in there. With 12 places up for grabs at least you have a 25% chance of qualifying, a reasonable return on your investment. I'd be more concerned if hundreds entered and World Snooker treated the QS like a cash machine. If you can't make the top 12 out of 50 people in three chances, then you can't really complain about losing your money.
It's up nearer 100 this morning after a late flurry of entries
The qualifying school needs to be extended to other parts of the world. A school in China, mainland Europe and wherever the game is popular could produce new nationalities to the tour. The places available could be allotted according to the standard and interest in participating countries.
There is still too much emphasis on the UK. I couldn't believe that Snooker Scene, in its coverage of the German masters, converted the prizemoney list to Sterling.
The tournament was played in Europe and the cash was paid in Euros, the currency of every European country except Eurosceptic Britain.
I wish the Brits, and particularly the British snooker fans would realise that Europe is not a suburb of England and that snooker is a worldwide game and not an English one.
It was converted into British pounds because people - including us - keep career prize money records and quite obviously they have to be in the same currency. Nothing to do with Euro-scepticism. In fact if you actually knew any of us the claim would be laughable.
betty
only 12 makes the cut from Q School in to the Main Tour.
What annoys me is that if you don't want to adopt the same currency as everyone else you are labelled Euro-sceptic or narrow minded.
What is wrong with a countries keeping their own currency and having an identity. Their is nothing nationalistic about this, it is pretty boring if we all be the same.
Also didn't realise the new Snooker Scene was out yet, thought it was always the first Wednesday of each month.
Fair enough. Euro sceptic was probably a bit strong.
if we in europe all use the same currency then as the world gets 'smaller' there is no need to be "ripped off" when going abroad (on holiday) and exchanging.....
I am not disputing there is some merit it in it, but tend to side with the great Tony Benn on this issue.
Is the draw for Sheffield going to be available to watch or listen too?
It's the same as last year - in Betfred shops
i dont even know tommy bendy never mind think he is great
you asked for a reason and i gave you an excellent flawless one.
it just doesnt fit with your thinking but youre the type of person who NEEDS to reply, so you just post drivel.
Okay, I will be working.
I think David Gray dropped off the main tour too early, he was in the UK final seven years ago.
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