Exclusive Interview with Anita Maflin
Last week in China we had the Big World Cup in Wuxi, obviously won by China for a second time. But a thing in particular attracted a lot of attention, Noways's team had the only woman of the tournament - and their players are married. She is Anita Maflin, who gave me a great time for an interview where she talks about the event and how it feels to play with world widely famous players.
Snooker was negated to integrate Olympic Games in 2020 and World Professional Billiard's & Snooker Association (WPBSA) President Jason Ferguson (see my interview with him) said it's much because women's game isn't good enough, Anita also spoke about this and many more, see!
Ronnie O`Sullivan Brasil: How was the experience there in Wuxi for the World Cup?
Anita Maflin: It was just unbelievable to play in an event with so many class players, still can't believe how blessed I have been for having the opportunity to represent my country in this great event.
Satisfied with how you played?
No, not at all. I'm sure I would have played better if I could have had more time to practice, at least two or three months would have helped to get a little more solid and tight. Of course I probably wouldn't have won too many more frames. I mean, this guys are so hard to beat, but I definitely should make it harder for them. I have a neck problem and that has kept me away from practice for quite some time now, hoping surgery this winter coming is gonna make it better soon.
What was the sensation to be playing with your husband, Kurt Maflin? Did it put any extra pressure on you?
It is very different to be playing with someone as a team for sure, but I really enjoyed having my husband by my side, I mean I got really nervous playing such good players on TV. I probably felt less pressure because he was there with me.
Hopeful of coming back with him in two years for the next World Cup?
Yes, absolutely. I would love to play in that event again.
I watched some of your matches against Singapore with a couple of friends and we got impressed with your safety shots, is that your strength?
No, I wouldn't say that. I think long potting is my strength, maybe safety and tactical second. Break-building is definitely my weakest point, especially around the black.
How does it feels to be playing with world widely famous players such as Ding Junhui in the big stage? Got nervous for that?
Yeah, I was really nervous playing Ding, it was strange because I felt really good as we walked from the players lounge to the arena, we were chatting and smiling you know, I thought 'yeah, I can do this'. But as soon as I entered the arena I got so nervous, in that match the atmosphere was incredible and I was shaking real bad, did not cope at all. I got better after five minutes, but then I felt embarrassed by the way I had played and couldn't focus against Xiao Guodong. I can assure you that playing Ding in front of his home crowd and on national TV is not for the fainthearted hehe. I was praying for them not to miss being honest, that match was way to big for me.
How good was the structure of the event?
I think they're really good at making events in China, they take real care of all the players.
They want to steal the World Snooker Championship from the Crucible. In your opinion, can they? And should it be good if they does?
The World Snooker Championship belongs at the Crucible. I would be devastated if they'd move the World Snooker Championship to anywhere else in the World.
Do you believe they can produce a Crucible winner in between the next five years?
I believe China can do this. There are so many good players now from China so I'm sure it's possible. Hoping Norway to do it first though hehe.
How big is Snooker in Norway? Did it grow with Kurt's success on the Professional Circuit?
Snooker is not a big sport in Norway yet but it's definitely a growing sport with Kurt doing so well. We have a junior coaching club once a month in our club Oslo Snooker and we are hoping for a junior to find his way from there.
How good is the standard played in Norway?
The standard is not good enough yet, but it's getting better. Kurt is coaching when he can and his dad Curtis is also a great coach who has been a great deal for us. Also we have an Englishman called Chris Watts who is a great snooker player that plays on the Norwegian circuit and he has definitely given our circuit a boost. We will get there, just wait and see.
IOC (International Olympic Committee) has negated Snooker's bid to get inside the 2020 Tokyo Games, and WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson told BBC the obvious reason for this is that women's game isn't big enough, do you agree? What should be done to improve it?
Yeah. Well, money is of course a huge thing, I'm sure a lot of the ladies that went to USA to play pool would return and give Reanne and us other girls a run for the money. There's really a lot of good girls that could jump in joy if a chance is given. China also has a lot of good lady players. Ladies should definitely have their own proper tour. I would be happy to work with that if someone asked me :-) anyone?
Should be good to get inside Olympics?
Absolutely, should be a great idea.
How different was the World Cup in Wuxi last week from the Women's events you use to play on?
Well that is a massive difference, World Cup was like nothing I have ever been involved in, such a super event.
I enjoy playing the ladies events of course, but you can't compare them at all.
Why and when did you start playing Snooker?
I started playing when I was around 11 or 12 years old. Firstly playing american pool like 9-ball and so on.
I tried Snooker the first time when I was 16 and loved it straight away. I made a 47 Break first time I played and it took me two years to beat it! I still love Snooker.
Who's your childhood hero in Snooker? I suppose it's Maflin nowadays hehe.
Yes you're right, Kurt is my hero nowadays shock, but I was a proper Stephen Hendry fan growing up, then Ronnie O`Sullivan and John Higgins, they still are.
How was your practice like, building up to this World Cup?
I practiced as much as I could really between two kids, work and an horrible neck. I had short time to get in good shape.
Do you practice in tables like those?
Yeah, Kurt has a Star table so I'm not unfamiliar with that, but it's so difficult with new cloths and new balls, they run so fast and it takes some events to get used to that for sure.
Just to finish, did you see the Brazilian team? I know Igor Figueiredo personally but were they friendly for you?
Yes, I know Igor a bit from before and I saw him a lot this event as we played in same times. He's a really nice guy and both Kurt and I wish him all the best in Snooker.
Well, just want to say thanks to Anita Maflin, that was a great interview, I wish her all the best in Snooker and personal life, hope to see her and Kurt - who I'm both an admitted fan - in many more events in the future. I also wish women's game all the best and I hope it gets bigger, it will take time but I love to see women involved with Snooker because we have such a beautiful sport that doesn't have genre's difference, and we got to make it an advantage for us.
Follow Anita Maflin on Twitter
Watch Anita's amazing escape against India at the World Cup
The first World Ranking Event of the season starts this Monday and runs until Sunday July's 5. To be aware of everything going on in Bendigo for the Australian Open and also any news around the Snooker fabulous World, follow us on Facebook.
Snooker was negated to integrate Olympic Games in 2020 and World Professional Billiard's & Snooker Association (WPBSA) President Jason Ferguson (see my interview with him) said it's much because women's game isn't good enough, Anita also spoke about this and many more, see!
Ronnie O`Sullivan Brasil: How was the experience there in Wuxi for the World Cup?
Anita Maflin: It was just unbelievable to play in an event with so many class players, still can't believe how blessed I have been for having the opportunity to represent my country in this great event.
 |
| Anita & Kurt signing cues in China during the World Cup in Wuxi. |
No, not at all. I'm sure I would have played better if I could have had more time to practice, at least two or three months would have helped to get a little more solid and tight. Of course I probably wouldn't have won too many more frames. I mean, this guys are so hard to beat, but I definitely should make it harder for them. I have a neck problem and that has kept me away from practice for quite some time now, hoping surgery this winter coming is gonna make it better soon.
What was the sensation to be playing with your husband, Kurt Maflin? Did it put any extra pressure on you?
It is very different to be playing with someone as a team for sure, but I really enjoyed having my husband by my side, I mean I got really nervous playing such good players on TV. I probably felt less pressure because he was there with me.
Hopeful of coming back with him in two years for the next World Cup?
Yes, absolutely. I would love to play in that event again.
I watched some of your matches against Singapore with a couple of friends and we got impressed with your safety shots, is that your strength?
No, I wouldn't say that. I think long potting is my strength, maybe safety and tactical second. Break-building is definitely my weakest point, especially around the black.
How does it feels to be playing with world widely famous players such as Ding Junhui in the big stage? Got nervous for that?
Yeah, I was really nervous playing Ding, it was strange because I felt really good as we walked from the players lounge to the arena, we were chatting and smiling you know, I thought 'yeah, I can do this'. But as soon as I entered the arena I got so nervous, in that match the atmosphere was incredible and I was shaking real bad, did not cope at all. I got better after five minutes, but then I felt embarrassed by the way I had played and couldn't focus against Xiao Guodong. I can assure you that playing Ding in front of his home crowd and on national TV is not for the fainthearted hehe. I was praying for them not to miss being honest, that match was way to big for me.
How good was the structure of the event?
I think they're really good at making events in China, they take real care of all the players.
They want to steal the World Snooker Championship from the Crucible. In your opinion, can they? And should it be good if they does?
The World Snooker Championship belongs at the Crucible. I would be devastated if they'd move the World Snooker Championship to anywhere else in the World.
Do you believe they can produce a Crucible winner in between the next five years?
I believe China can do this. There are so many good players now from China so I'm sure it's possible. Hoping Norway to do it first though hehe.
How big is Snooker in Norway? Did it grow with Kurt's success on the Professional Circuit?
Snooker is not a big sport in Norway yet but it's definitely a growing sport with Kurt doing so well. We have a junior coaching club once a month in our club Oslo Snooker and we are hoping for a junior to find his way from there.
How good is the standard played in Norway?
The standard is not good enough yet, but it's getting better. Kurt is coaching when he can and his dad Curtis is also a great coach who has been a great deal for us. Also we have an Englishman called Chris Watts who is a great snooker player that plays on the Norwegian circuit and he has definitely given our circuit a boost. We will get there, just wait and see.
IOC (International Olympic Committee) has negated Snooker's bid to get inside the 2020 Tokyo Games, and WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson told BBC the obvious reason for this is that women's game isn't big enough, do you agree? What should be done to improve it?
Yeah. Well, money is of course a huge thing, I'm sure a lot of the ladies that went to USA to play pool would return and give Reanne and us other girls a run for the money. There's really a lot of good girls that could jump in joy if a chance is given. China also has a lot of good lady players. Ladies should definitely have their own proper tour. I would be happy to work with that if someone asked me :-) anyone?
Should be good to get inside Olympics?
Absolutely, should be a great idea.
How different was the World Cup in Wuxi last week from the Women's events you use to play on?
Well that is a massive difference, World Cup was like nothing I have ever been involved in, such a super event.
I enjoy playing the ladies events of course, but you can't compare them at all.
Why and when did you start playing Snooker?
I started playing when I was around 11 or 12 years old. Firstly playing american pool like 9-ball and so on.
I tried Snooker the first time when I was 16 and loved it straight away. I made a 47 Break first time I played and it took me two years to beat it! I still love Snooker.
Who's your childhood hero in Snooker? I suppose it's Maflin nowadays hehe.
Yes you're right, Kurt is my hero nowadays shock, but I was a proper Stephen Hendry fan growing up, then Ronnie O`Sullivan and John Higgins, they still are.
How was your practice like, building up to this World Cup?
I practiced as much as I could really between two kids, work and an horrible neck. I had short time to get in good shape.
Do you practice in tables like those?
Yeah, Kurt has a Star table so I'm not unfamiliar with that, but it's so difficult with new cloths and new balls, they run so fast and it takes some events to get used to that for sure.
Just to finish, did you see the Brazilian team? I know Igor Figueiredo personally but were they friendly for you?
Yes, I know Igor a bit from before and I saw him a lot this event as we played in same times. He's a really nice guy and both Kurt and I wish him all the best in Snooker.
Well, just want to say thanks to Anita Maflin, that was a great interview, I wish her all the best in Snooker and personal life, hope to see her and Kurt - who I'm both an admitted fan - in many more events in the future. I also wish women's game all the best and I hope it gets bigger, it will take time but I love to see women involved with Snooker because we have such a beautiful sport that doesn't have genre's difference, and we got to make it an advantage for us.
Follow Anita Maflin on Twitter
Watch Anita's amazing escape against India at the World Cup
 |
| Kurt, Neon (son) and Anita Maflin |
The first World Ranking Event of the season starts this Monday and runs until Sunday July's 5. To be aware of everything going on in Bendigo for the Australian Open and also any news around the Snooker fabulous World, follow us on Facebook.
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