Kim Jones First Black Woman to Play in World Championship

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Kim Jones First Black Woman to Play in World Championship


Manila, Philippines- Kim Jones is practicing hard and packing her bags for a trip to Asia to make history. On June 2, 2009, she will become the first black woman and African American female to compete in billiards for a world title.

Jones is just one of seven USA women qualified to enter in the prestigious Women's World 10-Ball Championship. The event is sponsored by JBETpoker.net and is produced by international billiards giant Dragon Promotions and will be broadcasted to more countries and viewers than any other women's event in the history of billiards. ABS-CBN and ESPN Star Sports conglomerate will combine 20 hours of live coverage and 20 hours of taped matches. The event takes place in Manila, Philippines at the SM Mall North Edsa June 2-6,2009. 48 top women pros from around the world will vie for gold to become the Women's World 10-Ball Champion. The historic event is supported by JBETpoker.net, ABS-CBN, SM Mall North Edsa, Magic 89.9, Predator Cues, Min Billiard Cloth, Puyat Sports, Philippines Star, Bugsy Promotions and recognized by the BMPAP and BSCP.


Kim Jones, the first African American ever to compete for a World Championship in Billiards!

Jones has only been competing part-time on the women's pro tour for 5 years. She balanced playing professional pool with working full-time for IBM as a project manager. Recently she was laid off from her job due to the economic crisis in the US, and has since re-dedicated herself to billiards. She was ranked in the top 50 in the world according to the 2008 WPBA rankings.

"I've seen what I can do with just partial time invested into my game. I can only imagine if I can put all of myself dedicated to billiards!",said a confident Jones.

Jones is excited at the prospect of being the first black woman playing in the World Championship. But is it an extra burden or pressure?

"Oh no. I am truly excited. Ever since being on tour, fans, of all color, have always come to me with words of support. I'm really happy to be making history, and I think it's quite an honor. I really hope I can encourage other black players worldwide to try to compete more",explained Jones on her significant role and invitation.

Jones has a Business Management degree from Howard University and worked 10 years for IBM. In between she managed time to have a top 17th place finish at an ESPN event and finished 2nd in rankings as the USA top semi-pro player.

"My goal is to be a top player. Of course I need finances,too. My dream is to be able to compete but also work on the business side of the billiards industry. Let me know if anyone is interested!" laughs Jones.

Jones has a website with her bio to help attract sponsors and even just normal people who want to contribute and donate to her cause. Visit www.kimjonespool.com

The historic event is considered to be the biggest women's sporting event of the year for the Philippines, and one of the biggest in Asia as it draws massive media attention with 40 hours of match coverage going to over 40 countries with 20 hours live on ESPN and equally in its local partner ABS-CBN, the leading TV channel of the Philippines. 48 women from around the globe will attend the event vying for $20,000 (1M) 1st place prize out of the $75,000 (3.75M) purse available. SM Mall North Edsa, Magic 89.9, Philippines Star, Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila, Predator Cues, and JBETPOKER.net are some of the primary sponsors of the event.
"Billiards, the sport of the Philippines. The sport of the people." For more info email womensworld10ball@gmail.com

Open qualifiers for the event will be held May 31 and June 1 at Paeng's Skybowl on 4th Floor at Robinsons Galleria Mall connected to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Manila. The winners will join the main event at SM Mall North Edsa June 2-6,2009. All players are welcomed to join to try to qualify for the event. There will be three qualifiers over the two days with six winners entered into the main 48 women field. For more info email womensworld10ball@gmail.com
 
Good luck to Kim Jones! College Graduate, former decade-long employee of IBM and plays pool pretty good doing it part time.

Now she has to show us what she can do playing FULL TIME. :)

JoeyA
 
You have got to be kidding me!

Since this is the first women's world ten ball isn't is fair to make a press release for each person competing?

First British woman to compete for the World Ten Ball title, first blonde, first Texas born woman, etc......

How is it possible that this is a 48 woman field and it's not already full of top women pros ? Where are all the Asian players?

Not to downplay Kim Jones' moment in the sun for making "black history" but this is reaching quite a bit in my opinion. I thought that at least you would not need to play the race card here.

The inauguaral World Ten Ball Championship for women and you can't find 48 players willing to fill it immediately - so it will be filled with no-name qualifers instead?

No wonder pool will never be taken seriously. We can't even manage to do things in ways that aren't corrupted through and through and so inconsistent that it's laughable.

I am sure that Kim would rather be touted for her skill rather than her race.
 
Kim Jones First Black Woman to Play in World Championship


Manila, Philippines- Kim Jones is practicing hard and packing her bags for a trip to Asia to make history. On June 2, 2009, she will become the first black woman and African American female to compete in billiards for a world title.

Um, isn't black woman and African American female sort of the same thing in this context?

You're sure that no black woman in the history of pool has ever competed for a world title?

This is a trick question.
 
You have got to be kidding me!

...this is reaching quite a bit in my opinion. I thought that at least you would not need to play the race card here.

...

I am sure that Kim would rather be touted for her skill rather than her race.


wHAT jb SAID (dAMN cAPS lOCK!)

Just shows to go how out of touch DP really is...
 
You have got to be kidding me!

Since this is the first women's world ten ball isn't is fair to make a press release for each person competing?

First British woman to compete for the World Ten Ball title, first blonde, first Texas born woman, etc......

How is it possible that this is a 48 woman field and it's not already full of top women pros ? Where are all the Asian players?

Not to downplay Kim Jones' moment in the sun for making "black history" but this is reaching quite a bit in my opinion. I thought that at least you would not need to play the race card here.

The inauguaral World Ten Ball Championship for women and you can't find 48 players willing to fill it immediately - so it will be filled with no-name qualifers instead?

No wonder pool will never be taken seriously. We can't even manage to do things in ways that aren't corrupted through and through and so inconsistent that it's laughable.

I am sure that Kim would rather be touted for her skill rather than her race.


what other statements have been made about firsts in women? all i saw was this?
no name field? a fisher,k fisher, yu cha, j ouschan,ranola,amit,JLee,hofstatter, kajitani,rousey,corr....yup looks like a walk in the park LOL

and for the record, i do think its derserving jones get some recognition .there are so few black pros, maybe 2-3, that perhaps it will inspire a few more.
 
I for one don't care what color or gender a person is. A pool player is a pool player and a person is a person. imo. I don't see the need to point it out.

BVal
 
I have a question: On her website it says she was invited to play on the WPBA and that she won 17th at her first tour stop. So is she a member of the WPBA? And without having to win a qualifier?

I can't find her on the WPBA website player profiles or in the rankings. A search yields nothing. Anyone?
 
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Congrats and Good Luck my Friend!!!!

Kim did live in WA State for 3 or 4 yrs. (moved to atlanta 2 yrs ago) We became friends. She is a terrific person and plays jam up!!!!!

GOOD LUCK GIRL!!!!! I WILL BE ROOTING FOR YA!!!!!:thumbup:

Take Care,
Andrea
 
I for one don't care what color or gender a person is. A pool player is a pool player and a person is a person. imo. I don't see the need to point it out.

BVal

Agreed 100%. Until this thread, I never would've known this "statistic". To me there's no difference between humans that are different colors/races. We're all human and distinguishing someone by their race is taking steps backwards, IMO.
 
allprobilliards said:
and for the record, i do think its derserving jones get some recognition .there are so few black pros, maybe 2-3, that perhaps it will inspire a few more.

This is the mentality that keeps us in "the dark ages". People should be noticed for the good they do, not the color of their skin. If someone is a great surgeon it shouldn't matter what color they are. If someone is bad surgeon, it shouldn't matter what color they are. Same with pool players. I'm sure Ms. Jones would rather be known for her skills on the table than the color of her skin. Playing good should encourage people to play. We shouldn't try to encourage one race over another. The sooner people become color blind, the better for everyone. Simply my opinion.
 
She has a link to AZ on her website... Is she a member here?

As a side comment, there are plenty of minorities playing pool already. They're called "white people". Ba-dum-ching.
 
Good for Kim!

For those of you who have the sincere pleasure of knowing Kim, you know she is one of the most kind, wonderful, down to earth, deserving individuals one could ask to meet. I'm so proud of her for pursuing her dream!
 
I don't see anyone putting her down, or doubting that she's a nice person. I just don't think anyone here cares about race so much. I mean, not only do we have a diverse mix of races, but we have a mix of gays and straights, too. I think that's what makes pool so awesome. Where else do you see that (besides softball :D)?

EDIT: Did not mean to quote an individual post :)
 
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I don't see anyone putting her down, or doubting that she's a nice person. I just don't think anyone here cares about race so much. I mean, not only do we have a diverse mix of races, but we have a mix of gays and straights, too. I think that's what makes pool so awesome. Where else do you see that (besides softball :D)?

I don't recall mentioning race in my post celebrating Kim's accomplishment. I could care less what someone's gender, ethnicity, skin color, or sexual orientation is. My post was meant to be purely congratulatory toward Kim pursuing her dream. :)
 
One of my favorite things about pool is the fact that it doesn't care who you are/ were/ will be. Like I.
 
I find it funny . . .

I thought it was funny that in any other announcement, a full-blown glamour picture of the chick is provided, and this one has none.

I find it funny that the images of attractive young ladies that DP posts give no indication that they might be pool players. Seems that them playing pool isn't really as important as being able to get the public's attention with a picture of a pretty girl.

Hu
 
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