PBC Fulda and Thorsten on the rise 1996

In 1996, four years after Thorsten joined the PBC Fulda, the club was offered to buy a property and move from the tiny structure in downtown Fulda to the former US-army barrack “Down-Barracks” in North-West Fulda. The new building was ideal for a “pool arena” with a spacey 300qm2 room, big enough to fit 10 tables and a big lounge for spectators separated through a glass window.

At the same time, Thorsten had several options to leave the club to play for other first division teams from other clubs, but the PBC Fulda’s management decided to do everything to keep the up-and-coming talent in Fulda.

Two top German players, Kai Windemuth and Shervin Rahimi, were hired and the team managed to win the State Championship and climb through a tough qualification to the Second Division in Germany, but it wasn’t enough. In their first try with an additional engagement of star player, Dieter Johns, the PBC Fulda 1 reached Germany’s highest division, the “Bundesliga,” and won the Championship title in their first try.

An Important Win in 1997

Even as an individual, Thorsten caused a stir. At the age of 18 in 1997, he beat no one else, other than his hero, Ralf Souquet, in a German 8-Ball ranking tournament final at 11-0. Thorsten started with six break and runs, came try on the break, but after a miss from Souquet, Thorsten finished the set with another five break and runs.

In the following year, Thorsten beat Francisco Bustamante, 11-8, in the biggest prize winning 9-Ball tournament final at that time in Germany for 10,000 German Mark in Chemnitz. The match was recorded for television and aired throughout Germany.

Thorsten ended the season with first place in the 8-Ball and 9-Ball division and was voted “Athlete of the Year” from his home town of Fulda.

Teaching time

Working with his coach Michael for years and having worked with top Germany coaches, such as Dieter Johns and Guenther Geisen, Thorsten got interested in teaching. He put a pool table in his school, Konrad Adenauer Schule, where kids were able to play before, in-between and after class. Once in a while Thorsten gave an exhibition.

At the end of the year, there was a “project-week” where students could choose from a list of 30 different projects before the summer holidays began. Thorsten offered pool lessons at the clubhouse and every year it was the number one pick for all the 1200 students. For five days, Thorsten, Michael and volunteers were teaching about pool’s fundamentals, physics and the fun of the game.

The school liked the work and started its own course for 25 students every Tuesday held at the clubhouse. Thorsten gave grades for the class with a diploma at the end of each school year…

Later, Thorsten became a German Certified Instructor by finishing several courses at the Physical Education College in Frankfurt and with Ralph Eckert, a pool training supervisor. Thorsten assisted Ralph Eckert in training the National Team of Thailand in Bangkok. He also hosted a course for the National Team of Poland and gave weekly lessons at his club in Fulda

Years in the German Army

Thorsten graduated from his school in 1997 and decided to go to a school of further education; however, a few months into his study, the German Army offered him a spot in their special sport corps. Thorsten didn’t hesitate. He quit school, joined the army in the spring of 1998 and never looked back.

After passing the two-month basic training in Sontra, Hessia, he was transferred to the sport support unit in Holzwickede, about a 2 ½ hour ride from Fulda.

German Army Sport’s Corps

The German Army Sports Corps is a very important institution for the sporting success in Germany and for Germany altogether. Most of the medals won by German athletes in World Championships, European Championships, German Championships and Olympic Games were won by members of the sports corps. It gives athletes in amateur sports, the opportunity to practice like professionals with a decent salary and full, free health insurance.

Life in a Soldier’s Uniform…

Thorsten was required to come to the barracks terrain once a month. All of the athletes of the various teams, such as golf, boating, archery, women’s soccer, ice-skating and billiards, gathered to discuss new developments, promote soldiers and discuss their recent achievements.

Once every four months, there was a “Green Week.” From Monday to Friday, the all-sport soldiers would “play army” by going to the shooting range, learn about defense strategies, do physical exercise together or go on an educational trip. It was always a lot of fun and never really tough.

Thorsten’s daily work was a bit different and helped him to elevate his game a lot. Thorsten had to make a schedule for each upcoming week. The plan was always created and signed by his coach, Michael. Five days a week and two sessions of four hours each day were required. The content was up to Michael and Thorsten. Even tournaments counted as service rendered. Physical exercise was a big portion of Thorsten’s work. He would run by the nearby pond, go to the gym or ride his bike around the countryside of Fulda. All of the pool drills and exercises were made up and controlled by Michael.

Straight Pool High Run

It was November 2nd, 2001 when Thorsten broke his straight pool high run record. He was playing his friend Wolfgang and started with a 76-ball run in the second inning. At Thorsten’s next visit at the table, he ran 404 balls. Thorsten is one of the few players to have a 400+ run.

Thorsten’s success was limited at the time. It was his transition period from the juniors to the adults, but he achieved enough success to get his army contract renewed for a total of five years until 2003.

Fate meets Thorsten in the World 9-Ball Championships 2003 (Cardiff, Wales)

Thorsten was geared up and ready for the World Championships. Weeks prior to the event, the club PBC Fulda prepared a table just for Thorsten to practice on – with new cloth and tight pockets. He worked on his break and played long sets with several sparring partners every day.

During the event, Thorsten was staying with his friends, Malcom and Liz, who lived just outside of Cardiff. The lovable couple took care of Thorsten and supported him throughout the Championship. Decisive for his success could have been the English breakfast he had every morning, which included ham, bacon, black pudding and beans.

Thorsten cruised through the field. The first crucial moment was in the quarter-final when he was losing to Bustamante at 6-10 in a race to 11. However, an uncharacteristic error by Bustamante allowed Thorsten to get back in the game and move on into the semi-final against the then current World 9-Ball Champion, Earl Strickland.

“The Hitman” is born

That was the first time the world was paying attention to the 22 year-old from Fulda. Organizer Matchroom Sport was looking for a nickname for Thorsten and it was John McDonald, Matchroom’s Master of Ceremony, who came up with the nickname “The Hitman.”

Thorsten dominated Strickland and there was no doubt left, with his 11-6 victory, that it was time for new blood.

The final, airing live around the world, showed a very focused Thorsten Hohmann. In a race to 17, he controlled the match against Alex Pagulayan from the beginning on. In the middle of the match, at a score of 12-10, Thorsten took off and claimed the next five racks to win the $75,000 US prize, the trophy and most importantly, the title of the 2003 World 9-Ball Champion. At the time, Thorsten was the youngest person to ever win that championship. Only Wu Chia Ching from Taiwan beat Thorsten’s record as he won the title in 2005 at the age of 16.

Thorsten had a surprise welcome at the airport from his family, friends and fans; all of whom had been watching and sweating his matches live at an Irish pub in Frankfurt, Germany. A long night partying and many stories followed. Thorsten broke through international terrain …

What came next …

Not only did Thorsten win the money, the trophy and the title, he also got invited to play in various special events for the following year and he did very well.

In more than 70 percent of the tournaments he competed in, he finished in the top ten, including:

* Euro Tour in Holland – 1st Place
* New Jersey State Straight Pool Championships – 1st Place
* US-Open – 2nd Place
* Intercontinental Team Cup – 1st Place
* On Cue 2 in Manila – 2nd Place
* World Pool League – 2nd Place
* All Japan Championships – 3rd Place
* Florida State Championships – 2nd Place
* European 8-Ball – 1st Place
* German 9-Ball – 1st Place
* Sudden Death 7-Ball – 2nd Place

He many more great finishes was chosen to represent Team Europe in the prestigious Mosconi Cup in Las Vegas, Nevada. The European team lost after a close battle with the United Sates team.

He proved to the world that he was not a one-hit wonder, with a constant drive to improve his game and to become a better player.