RAJ HUNDAL - ENGLAND

Age - 23
Based - London, England
Nickname - The Hitman
Hobbies - Travelling, cruising in coupes, sipping Hennessy XO
Cue Used - Bear butt, Predator shaft
Achievements - Winner of Croydon Open, Basildon Open, Chichester Open, Wolverhampton Open, Darlington Open, Bristol Open. Youngest ever UK No.1.

Now 23, the Hounslow-based Hundal has always been one of the rising stars of the UK pool scene. He qualified for the World Pool Championship in 2000 as an 18 year-old and over the past year has developed into a rival to Daryl Peach, the BPPPA No.1 ranked player.

Hundal hit a purple patch recently as he won five consecutive tournaments on the two UK tours to really establish himself. The best was yet to come for Hundal though, as after playing his way through the group stages in this summer’s World Pool Championship he drew tournament favourite Yang Chung-shin of Taiwan in the last 64. In front of a packed arena, Hundal rose to the occasion superbly as he played the perfect game to keep Yang in his chair for seven racks. The Taiwanese got back to the table to mount a comeback but Hundal was able to close out the match for a magnificent 10 – 4 win.

A narrow defeat to eventual bronze medallist Rodney Morris was a disappointment, but now Hundal gets his chance in the Masters.