The 2003 field includes top stars in the sport:
Efren Reyes, 2002 winner of the INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE OF CHAMPIONS, travels from the Philippines to defend his crown.
Earl Strickland, 2002 WPA World 9-Ball Champion and six-time World Champion, will represent the USA.
Francisco Bustamante, 2002 Sudden-Death 7-Ball Champion and UPA Peninsula Champion, will also represent the Philippines.
Ralf Souquet, 2002 U.S. Open Champion and winner of four 2002 events, will represent Germany.
Chin-Shun Yang, 2002 Chinese Taipei National Champion and multiple international event champion, will represent Taiwan.
Daryl Peach, 2002 English Champion and winner of twelve United Kingdom events, will represent Great Britain.
Nick Van Den Berg, 2002 Holland Champion and Euro Tour Champion, will represent Holland.
John Horsfall, 2002 Canadian 9-Ball Champion and Sands Reno Open Champion, will represent Canada.
Mohegan Sun Casino, the host site, will make the 2003 event ADMISSION-FREE to pool fans from around the USA and the world. The event drew such large crowds last year at the Mohegan Sun that it was standing-room-only attendance. There will be four playing sessions in the two-day international tournament. o­n Wednesday, August 13th, the quarterfinal rounds will be played at 4:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M., with two matches in each session. o­n Thursday, August 14th, the two semifinals will be played at 4:00 P.M. and the final Championship match will be played at 7:00 P.M. The semifinals and the final match will be taped for airing o­n ESPN in October.

        The INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE OF CHAMPIONS is regarded as the supreme test of skill in professional billiards. The eight players are so evenly matched that any o­ne player could beat the other seven o­n a given day. In addition, the tournament format is the most demanding test of 9-Ball skill in the sport. The matches are two sets, race to five games each set, with a o­ne-game sudden-death tiebreaker in the event of tied sets. The
9-ball does not count o­n the break, and to win a game, the 9-ball is a call shot. The caliber of competition is so intense that a single mistake invariably eliminates a player from any chance at the winner-take-all purse of $50,000. In the 2002 Championship match, Efren Reyes and Mika Immonen played a o­ne-game sudden-death tiebreaker for $50,000 and the "Champion of Champions" title.

        On the final night, o­ne of the players will claim the "Champion of Champions" crown and a check for $50,000. The trophy and the check will be presented by the Mohegan Sun, Olhausen Billiard Mfg., Inc, and Viking Cue.

        The 2003 tournament will be the Thirteenth Annual event, and has been televised o­n ESPN in each of the last twelve years. Those attending should arrive early for each tournament session. Make plans today to attend the 2003 INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE OF CHAMPIONS. For information, call the Mohegan Sun toll free at
1-888-226-7711, Ext. 7163.
Olhausen, located in Poway, California, is known for their beautifully hand-crafted pool tables and fine line of matching game room accessories. The Olhausen Authorized Dealer Network extends throughout the United States and the world. Olhausen products are proudly made in the USA and are available in Oak, Maple, Cherry, and a variety of exotic hardwoods, which can be custom-finished to match your décor. Olhausen Billiard Manufacturing, Inc. is celebrating 30 years in the business and has consistently pursued a tradition of dedication to Quality, Service, Selection, and Value. These attributes have earned the company the title of "The Best in Billiards(R)."
For more information about Olhausen or its products, call 1-800-866-4606 or log o­n to Olhausen’s World Wide Web Site at ( http://www.olhausenbilliards.com).