This picture is from the newspaper. This is Raist, TitlistSucker here on A-Z Billiards. Raist is well known among us cue collectors here. Raist is battling the advanced stages of cancer right now half a world away in Singapore.
This picture and story was sent to me at my request from MasterClass, Christopher, his good friend in Singapore. Raist confided in me months ago that his disease was progressing and that he did not have long to live.
This picture was taken in 2002. Raist is the healthy looking and handsome young man with the white collar looking down at the check. MasterClass is his friend next to him, with his fist raised. They just won the Team National Championship playing 8 Ball at Singapore's spectacular Convention Center.
A month of round robin qualifiers lead to the quarter finals, the semi-finals, and the championship. Raist and MasterClass were on a team that was only supposed to be an alternate. With mostly unknown players, they were a huge underdog to win anything much less the tournament. They were called to play in the semi-finals against the first team, and somehow they knocked them out!
They went on to the Convention Center, with it's 4 floor atrium filled to the brim with spectators.
Raist was ill at the time and in severe pain, but insisted on playing his matches. It was a race to 9 playing 8 ball. Raist's team made it to 8 ahead.
They were on the hill, and it was Raist's match. Despite the pain and weakness from his illness, Raist stepped up and played. It was his moment. Raist somehow made it through the 9th rack AND WON THE NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP! The stadium erupted in pandemonium.
This picture was taken, and Raist was taken to the hospital right after and admitted.
Raist has always faced his disease with the utmost courage, rarely talking about it. All this time I knew Raist , he never even mentioned this championship.
Let's pray for this beautiful young man. Please, now let's pray for a miracle.
Chris