Cherry Bomb Chronicles #4 - The Complete Athlete

Author: Samm Diep © September 2008

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“When you look good, you feel good. And, when you feel good, you play good,”

~ Thorsten Hohmann

Call it Pool. Call it Cue Sports or the Sport of Pocket Billiards. Call it whatever you want, but for many of us, pool is more than just a game. It’s an art, it’s a sport, and it’s our livelihood.

Wikipedia.org defines a “sport” or “sporting event” as the games with regulated international professional competition. There are a set of rules and equipment used for present-day competition. With the sport comes the athlete.

As I pondered the direction of this topic, I called up the first and most athletic pool player I could think of, Thorsten Hohmann. “I need to interview you for an article on the Complete Athlete,” I said. The modest Hohmann responded, “The Complete Athlete? Then, why are you interviewing me?”

As his answers to my questions unfolded, it became clear why Hohmann, the recent Lucasi Hybrid Straight Pool and Accu-Stats 14.1 Invitational Champion, is a Complete Athlete.

Q: Do you consider pool a sport? [Then, I read him my Wikipedia definition of “sport.”]

Thorsten: I consider pool a sport. That would qualify pool as a sport.

Q: Do you consider yourself an athlete?

Thorsten: Yes, I do. But what makes me an athlete is that first, I’m never happy with my performance or with myself or with what I’ve accomplished. It can be good or bad. I try to be a perfectionist. So, maybe I do more than the regular pool player or even more than the regular professional pool player does in terms of practicing whether on the table or physical activities but I always try to figure out what more can be done. Hohmann promotes the term “Athletic Pool” on his website and branding. He defines this as his way to better the image of the sport and convey professionalism and seriousness. “I think there’s a new generation of pool players,” said Hohmann.

Q: In order to be a complete athlete, do you believe you must also include physical training as part of your practice routine?

Thorsten: For me, pool is a lifestyle and when you come to the question of how important is physical exercise; I’m not really doing it [exercising] for pool. I do it to be healthy and to live longer. Pool will benefit from it but I want to feel well and look good.

Q: What is a typical day of training for you when you’re in town?

Thorsten: Yesterday, I spent an hour running about five miles. I went to the gym for 1.5 hours and I spent 4-5 hours practicing. Hohmann’s long-time coach is not only his instructor but is also his mentor. He has not only influenced his pool career, but has also been an inspiration to his healthy lifestyle. He even guides Hohmann as a personal trainer.

Q: Do you believe that working out has helped increase your stamina/endurance during a match?

Thorsten: I definitely believe that cardio exercise will help a pool player. When I look at a lot of pool players, many have back pain because of our position [bent over the table]. Everybody should at least do stretches or yoga or work out. Consult a physical therapist.

I feel more solid when I play pool. I don’t really see the benefit of getting super big for playing pool but what I do believe is since most of the players will have problems when they get older, it’s good to exercise. And for me, it just gives me confidence. I know that when I look good, I feel good. And, when I feel good, I play good. I just feel more solid. I wouldn’t advise working out too hard before a tournament.

Q: What is the most important physical exercise you would recommend?

Thorsten: For being a professional pool player? Everybody should work out regardless if you’re an athlete or a plumber. But for pool players, the best exercise that I’ve experienced as a pool player is yoga. It’s great for stretching the muscle, building the muscle, for balance, for concentration.

Otherwise, cardio, definitely. You just feel fresher after a long tournament. You go through a long weekend tournament and you’re in good condition, your heart is in good condition and you go through it easier and you have more power towards the end.

Lifting weights is good because when you’re playing pool, you put a lot of pressure on certain muscles and that’s why everybody should work out.

In the beginning, you may not think about it, but I’ve talked to so many players that have had problems in their backs. Many players have had back surgery. When I was young, I went to a physical therapist because I had a lot of pain in my lower back and then I started going to the gym. Then, I still had some problems, but other than that, I’m fine.

Hohmann also served in the Sports Support Unit of the German Army. Serving in the military reinforced his discipline, focus, and drive.

Q: Do you believe pool and billiards should be part of the Olympics?

Thorsten: Yes and no. I think that the game itself deserves it, but what do you pick? Do you pick snooker? Do you pick carom? Do you pick pool? If you pick pool, what do you pick? 10-ball? 9-ball? 8-ball? There’s just too many games. But just talking about pool, I think it deserves to be a member of the Olympic family.

The game itself, what’s required; the table, the balls, the cue, the strategy involved, your skill, I think it definitely should be part of the Olympics.

The Complete Athlete is not training only at the table. He/she is training mentally and physically away from the poolroom as well. The Complete Athlete builds their strength and endurance through exercise, consumption, and a well-balanced life.

Are you a Complete Athlete?

[Photo courtesy of Mike Fieldhammer]