SVB v. Fedor Gorst

They changed the nineball break without a doubt because of shanes dominance.
Actually, this isn't true.

The original changes in the break rule came from Eurotour, on which Shane does not play, and they came when Shane was a largely unknown teenager.

The modification of the break rule to that in use in Eurotour came from Matchroom, and it was before SVB's 2022 WPA World 9ball championship. FYI, Shane has never won a WNT major, despite five years of trying. When the break rule was changed, his results in Matchroom play, especially at the Mosconi, had been unremarkable, so Matchroom were not reacting to his results.

To be fair, however, Shane and many others had become so proficient with the 9ball break that Matchroom felt a change was needed. I've argued that they went too far when they went with tighter pockets, nine on the spot, and a narrow break box. Still, the evidence says that the changes have failed to slow down Shane, who remains in the conversation for the world's second best player.
 
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Agreed with all of the above. However, people's physical skills decline past 40 (really, earlier than that). In pool it is just less severe.

All those listed were world class, all-tilme greats. They could lose a bit and still be better than most anyone How many were actually better at 45/50 than at 25/30? How many top players today are in their 40s vs in their 20s? How about 20 years ago? The scene was and is still dominated by the younger folks, even if more players are still strong into their 40s+ than at, say, basketball.

I feel like i am repeating myself. But SVB, as great as he is, could lose a bit and still do very well, and even win big tournaments. That does not mean he isn't losing a bit.

Maybe Carlo Biado is as good as his younger self, he's the reigning 9 ball champion and beat Fedor Gorst
 
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