Peach holds it together

By now, the world should know that Daryl Peach is the new World 9 Ball Pool Champion. Say what you want about the quality of the final. The final analysis should be that when it mattered, Peach held it together. He is worth every minute of the 17-15 win and I will write more about what transpired here when I get back to Singapore.

I can however tell you that I have the very first, and for now, the ONLY media pass which Daryl Peach signed with the words “2007 World Pool Champion”. The bottom’s fallen out of the Daryl Peach autograph market since, as he stuck around for an eternity in the media room signing autographs, taking pictures with fans, and telling his story of the final.

And, exclusively for readers of sportsaddick.wordpress.com, here’s Daryl’s answer to the three questions I asked him:

Sports Addick: Who is Daryl Peach?

Daryl Peach, World Pool Champion 2007: Who is Daryl Peach? Daryl Peach, he’s a… he’s a new champion of the world, he’s a down to earth guy, you know, he keeps his feet on the ground and a family man, and a, I’d like to say he’s a pretty good pool player.

SA: you’ve got ice flowing through your veins on the table there?

DP, WPC 2007: Sometimes, you know, there were occasions when it was starting to leak. But uh, that’s my strongest asset, it’s um.. keeping cool and keeping my head.

SA: I think you are getting a US$10,00 bonus as well, you’re wearing it on your sleeves.

DP, WPC 2007:  Yeah that’s right, World3DPoker, they said the agreement was that if I win the tournament, I’d get a $10,000 bonus. So it’s a nice little touch.

So there you have it. My beer’s getting warm. One final word, Gomez did not cry.