Pulderbos is billiards capital with Belgian and Dutch champions: “We try to make each other stronger”

The Belgian title will not be decided during one final, but via a group system. “During the first weekend I had played well, so that I was reasonably confident at the start of the second weekend. After my third match, on Sunday around 11.30 am, my Belgian title was won. My last match was more of a gala match. I am happy that my main competitor Nick Rosier, who missed the final weekend last year due to a car accident, was now present. That feels better than last year.”

75 euro

Toon Bollansée brought the largest supporters with him. No fewer than 31 supporters traveled to the Blankenberge casino to cheer him on. Thanks to the Belgian title, he can go to the European Championship in Antalya in Turkey in March at the expense of the KBBB. The Belgian title itself earns him a medal and the somewhat disappointing sum of 75 euros.

“I would like to thank my parents. And certainly also Daniëlle, Luc and Kim from billiards center De Ploeg for always welcoming me and the rest of the youth with open arms. And of course Eddy Bollansée for the hours of training and all the supporters. It motivates me even more.”

On Monday evening, the two national champions trained against each other at BC De Ploeg in Halle-Zoersel. “There used to be some competition between us, but now we try to make each other stronger and it has become more of a friendship,” says Toon. “Billiards is in any case a sport in which you approach your opponent with respect. You don’t see things like in darts. Although psychological warfare through your body language is also important.”

The two once competed against each other in an international competition. Luca then pulled the sheet towards him. “But that was two years ago. We have both grown further,” says Luca, a Sports and Guidance student at the Mariagaarde Institute in Westmalle.

Luca would like to become semi-pro. “My father was world champion, but always had a part-time job,” says Luca. “Although the future looks financially more favorable now. Countries such as China, South Korea and Vietnam are real growth countries. There are very young top players there. In South Korea there are ten million billiards players. It is the second largest sport there. If you want to spend a few months a year there to play matches, you can earn a living.”

Toon couldn’t miss his home, he says. “I would feel lonely in Korea or Vietnam. I now train fifteen to twenty hours a week, but Saturday evening is for my friends. I see billiards as a nice extra income later,” says the Belgian champion.

“This sport is more physical than you think. On Sunday evening I fell asleep in the car exhausted,” says Toon. “I used to play football, but I am more tired after a billiards match than after a football match.” Luca emphasizes the mental exhaustion. “You always have to think at least one ball ahead.”

Toon received 75 euros for his Belgian title. Luca nothing at all. “But the big difference is that I receive free lessons from top students every month, which amounts to around 650 euros each month.” Toon has to pay for all his private lessons himself. “In that area, the guidance provided by the Dutch association is indeed much better,” says the Belgian. “Luckily my parents support me and I have a private sponsor.”

Top sports statute

Toon Bollansée studies Finance and Insurance at the Karel de Grote Hogeschool in Antwerp. Remarkably, he won his Belgian title in the middle of the exam period. “Normally I had an exam on Monday, but thanks to my top sports status I was able to move it to Thursday. Officially, billiards is no longer a sport, it is considered art and culture, but fortunately the school does recognize it.” Luca also has a special sports statute, but was not allowed to go to the European Championships in Turkey in March.

You could call them a bit like the Mathieu van der Poel and the Wout van Aert of three-cushion. Both Kempen residents, both at the top of their sport in their country. “Although there is no Mathieu van der Poel or Pogacar with us,” says Toon. “Every top player can lose to the other. Billiards is really exciting.”

They don’t mind the fact that billiards is called a café sport, but young people should be included urgently. “I play in two associations,” says Toon. “In that one association, the average age is 70. That doesn’t bother me. Raymond Ceulemans is 89 years old, but he still plays strong. It is a sport that you can practice until an old age. But young blood is important for survival.”

What would the two top players want to steal from each other? “His rejection,” Toon says about Luca. “He can put quality into a ball.” Luca doesn’t have to think long either. “Toon’s ‘cool’. He looks so unflappable.” “Looks like it,” Toon laughs.