Rubilen Amit
MANILA, Philippines—Away from the limelight over the past year, former world champion Rubilen Amit hopes to make an impact in the 2011 Yalin World Women’s 10-Ball Championship starting Wednesday at the Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas.
The 30-year-old Amit, who ruled the inaugural event in 2009, leads a host of challengers out to dethrone defending champion Jasmin Ouschan of Austria.
Amit has seen little action after seeing her run in last year’s tournament end in the semifinals against Korean ace Ga Young Kim.
The many-time Southeast Asian Games champion sees the world championship as an opportunity to cement her status as one of the finest players in the world.
“I will do my very best for flag and country,” said Amit.
Among the 48 players seeing action are Kim, Yu Ram Cha and Erica Park of Korea, Allison and Kelly Fisher of England, Siming Chen and Xiaofang Fu of China.
Ouschan is relishing the opportunity to defend her title in Manila, where her popularity rose after her run to the crown last year.
“Coming to an event as the defending champion is never easy,” the Austrian said. “There is extra pressure but pressure is a privilege and that is how I see it.”