THOMAS ENGERT - GERMANY

Age - 39
Based - Dueren, Germany
Nickname - The Lean Machine
Hobbies - Golf
Cue Used - McDermott
Achievements - 2004 World Pool Masters Champion. 2004 European 9-Ball Champion. 2004 International Challenge of Champions winner. 2004 Italian Open Champion. Bronze medal at 2001 World Games. 16 European Championship medals in various disciplines. 7 Euro Tour titles. Currently ranked No.11 in Europe.

Engert has plied his trade among the upper echelons of European pool ever since emerged in 1992 with victory in the Dutch Open. Since then the 39 year-old German has maintained his position, but enjoyed his most lucrative year yet in 2004.

Following some dispiriting defeats against relatively lowly opposition in the early part of the year, Engert vowed to take the game seriously and give it is full attention.

Very shortly after, he claimed the European 9-Ball Championship and then followed that up with victory in the Italian Open in April. The best was yet to come for Engert though as took the International Challenge of Champions in the USA and with it the $50,000 top prize and then recorded victories over Drago, Lely, Salvas and then Ortmann to take the World Pool Masters title and with it the $20,000 winner’s cheque.

Over 2005 Engert has been a consistent high finisher on the Euro Tour and will be looking to be the first man ever to successfully defend the World Pool Masters title.