Introduction
Ralf Souquet (/suːˈkeɪ/ soo-KAY; born 29 November 1968 in Eschweiler) is a German professional pool player. His nickname is "The Kaiser".Since 1981, he has won more than 500 tournament titles, including 41 German Championship titles and 34 European Pool Championships titles. Souquet is a two time world champion, winning the 2008 WPA World Eight-ball Championship, and 1996 WPA World Nine-ball Championship
Career
He began playing billiards at the age of six in his parents' pub, practicing up to five hours per day.He won his first German Championship title at the age of fourteen in the juniors division.In 1985, Souquet co-won his first European Championship team title with the National Team, and in 1986 won his first individual title at the European Championship (juniors division).In 1997, he received the Silberne Lorbeerblatt (Silver Laurel Leaf), the highest official distinction awarded to sportspeople by Germany, which was presented to him by German President Roman Herzog.
In 1996, Souquet won the 1996 WPA World Nine-ball Championship where he triumphed over Tom Storm of Sweden. He also reached the finals of the same event in 2001 and 2006, only to be bested by Mika Immonen and Ronato Alcano.
Souquet also won the US Open Nine-ball Championship in 2002 by defeating Alex Pagulayan who would also win the event in the next three years.
In 2008, Souquet won his second world title at the 2008 WPA World Eight-ball Championship with a victory over Alcano.
Titles
- WPA World Eight-ball Championship (2008)
- World Pool Masters (1994, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2011)
- World Cup of Pool (2011)
- WPA World Nine-ball Championship (1996)
- US Open Nine-ball Championship (2002)
- International Challenge of Champions (1996)
- U.S. Open Straight Pool Championship (2000)
- BCA Open Nine-ball Championship (2003, 2006)
- All-Japan Pool Championship (2004)
- Derby City Nine-ball Classic (2004, 2006, 2008)