Sad day in the pool world - Mika Immonen 1972 * 2025

I feel that one of the ways in which Mika shone brightest was in his ability to play into position zones that involved flirting with obstructing balls. Sometimes, the angle off the object ball has to be near perfect to find a position zone, and while Mika was not quite on a par with Appleton, Souquet, Wu, or even Rempe as a pattern player, I think he may have been better than all of them when it came to finding a really tight position line.

I sometimes sat in awe as Mika produced some mind-blowing angles off the object ball, and I always understood that I was watching a genius at work.

Perhaps this is a time to reflect on the man himself, but ultimately the man and his excellence at the pool table are inseparable and those of us who were lucky enough to see him at his very best understand this in full.
 
sjm said:
I feel that one of the ways in which Mika shone brightest was in his ability to play into position zones that involved flirting with obstructing balls. Sometimes, the angle off the object ball has to be near perfect to find a position zone, and while Mika was not quite on a par with Appleton, Souquet, Wu, or even Rempe as a pattern player, I think he may have been better than all of them when it came to finding a really tight position line.

I sometimes sat in awe as Mika produced some mind-blowing angles off the object ball, and I always understood that I was watching a genius at work.

Perhaps this is a time to reflect on the man himself, but ultimately the man and his excellence at the pool table are inseparable and those of us who were lucky enough to see him at his very best understand this in full.
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I think his super accurate position lines originated him hitting the cueball so relaxed and sweetly to enable the precision. Sometimes I think he powered and drilled the balls in just to create any challenge for himself, he was getting sort of bored how easy the game was with standard pocket speed. Already back in the 90s we had a chance to witness him playing around at the table between matches drilling some crazy shots with amazing accuracy. He was a monster on a slow cloth and probably had some difficulties adapting to modern super slick conditions unlike Fedor who only knew current conditions. Mika had the most natural stroke and rhythm I have ever seen.
 
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sjm said:
Another moment that stands out for me is when I called Mika in Finland two days after he won the World 9ball in 2001. I was in London at the time, but I had not made it to the event in Cardiff.

I tried him several times, but all I got was a voice mail message -- in Finnish, no less -- not even enough for me to be sure I had reached the right number. I kept trying and, eventually, Mika's father, who speaks English, picked up the phone. We had a brief chat about his son's big win and I'll never forget how excited he was. I explained that I was Mika's friend from New York City and he told me Mika would be home in an hour. I called again and, at long last, I got to congratulate pool's new world champion.

Reaching Mika had been hard work, but it was worth it! Oddly, it seems like yesterday.
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Thx Stu! that's good stuff.... the journey.
 
One of the very unfortunate rolls happened to em, and I'll find and post that video link.
This was in the past year, against SVB and that lucky 3 ball leave after Shane missed.
Anywho, he was supposed to Win that event, the rolls got em.
Mika had Shane buried.
I think it was the worlds.
I'll go find that moment. I felt sad for that player and it happened to him, had nothing to do with anything.... but what the game does/gives to you at times.
 
Here it is.... Mika had Shane 10-3, a small comeback.... at 10 -6 Go to the 26:25 mark.

He was playin' GREAT, but the table beat em....
Hate it'' Been beat that way before, this moment in time had nothing to do with his health/situation.
It's just.... seeing this ''lucky roll''.
Pool.... waters always movin'.
In sports, it's just I don't like anyone gettin' the ''Bad Beat''.
Which this was, Mika was positioned to Win the entire event.

bm
 
R.I.P., Mika. Managed to meet him a couple of times. Rack 'em up, champ.

Here is an article from Billiard Digest, July 2024, "Mika 2.0" by Keith Paradise.

“I don't think I would have made it without the community support,” he said. “Everybody played a part with prayers and whoever manifested good energy. I'm thankful and I felt like, okay, maybe I've done something right in my life to be in that position.”
 
Poolmanis said:
R.I.P Mika. I did know him well but played vs him couple times.
If accustats gonna release game from him please let it be match vs Jason Klatt. I think it is one of best matches i´ve ever seen. Dunno sure but maybe it was in U.S Open when Mika won.. @azhousepro

Edit: this one. https://store.accu-stats.com/mika-immonen-vs-jason-klatt-dvd-2010-u-s-open/#:~:text=Product Description * SKU: 359B-13D* * Description:,Jim Wych, Danny DiLiberto. * Duration: 60.
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This match will premiere tonight at 8pm EST.

 
A lot of good stuff here. I was very fortunate to have seen it in person from a ringside seat. Mika in full flight was a beautiful thing to see. He pretty much overpowered the balls and the table. Thanks for reminding me. Shed one more tear now, maybe two. :cry:
 
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