Puopolo is Crucible Bound After Pan-American Seniors Win

Vito Puopolo is set to make his Crucible Theatre debut next year after winning the 2022 PABSA Pan-American Seniors Snooker Championship in Toronto. 

Victory for reigning Canadian National Champion Puopolo in the multi-continent event – organised by the Pan-American Billiards and Snooker Association – qualifies him for the 2023 World Seniors Snooker Championship in May.

Players from Brazil, the United States of America and host nation Canada travelled to The Corner Bank venue for the event. Puopolo began his campaign with a 3-0 win over Jesus Batista Oliveria (Brazil) before he made breaks of 91 and 47 during a 3-0 defeat of Ajeya Prabhakar (USA) in the quarter-finals.

Frank Ammirante (Canada) won the opening frame of their semi-final with the help of a 67 break, but Puopolo strung together the next three frames to reach the final.

On the other side of the draw, defending champion Ahmed Aly Elsayed made it through; the record six-time United States National Champion came from 2-1 down to deny Jason Williams in the other last four match, 3-2.

However, the title would change hands, as Puopolo won the final 3-0, registering a run of 46 in the second frame.

The open Pan-American Snooker Championship will now take place over the coming days at the same venue, with the victor earning a professional World Snooker Tour card for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons.

Article by Michael Day.