Sharp shooter has eye on the big prize

Corner pocket... Avron Kloppers looks to sink the red ball during a practise session.

Top-ranked Western Province pool player, Avron Kloppers, 20, from Tuscany Glen in Blue Downs, is on a mission to establish himself as a world-class international.

The promising youngster is ranked third in the world in his division.

He was also part of the SA under-23 team that finished third overall at the world 8-ball pool championships.

The tournament, which took place in England earlier this year, also saw the SA senior women’s and the under-16 boys’ teams taking part in the same competition. The women’s side were crowned champions and the juniors finished runners up after losing to arch-rivals Australia in the final.

Kloppers has been playing since the age of nine and has made the provincial and national sides since the age of 14. Currently he is ranked second in South Africa and was crowned singles winner at the national championships in Mpumalanga, in September.

Now he has his sights set on competing at next year’s world championships in England.

However, as has been the case in the past, raising the necessary funds is the much bigger obstacle than pocketing the black ball.

“Players have to raise their own funds to attend these championships,” he said.

“I am passionate about the sport and always honoured to represent my country. It would be such a relief to myself and my parents if money was not an object. But it is.”

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