In memory of Paul Kimura
filed on Thursday, April 30, 2020. 10:37am PT/USA
It is the sad duty of the United States Snooker Association (USSA) to announce the passing of the former United States National Snooker Champion, Paul Kimura.
Paul Kimura pictured with the trophies after winning the 2006 United States National Snooker Championship
Photo © SnookerUSA.com
Kimura won the 2006 United States National Snooker Championship title at the Embassy Billiards Club in San Gabriel, California, where he proved to be a surprise champion after having a fantastic semifinal victory over the number two seed, the 2004 runner-up and future champion Raymond Fung, and then followed that up with a terrific 5-3 success in the final over Romil Azemat.
The Californian did not return to defend his title in 2007, but in 2008 he was back at the Embassy Billiards Club, though he suffered a round of 16 exit at the hands of the five times champion, Tom Kollins.
Paul Kimura pictured at play during the 2006 United States National Snooker Championship
Photo © SnookerUSA.com
Also in 2008, he represented Team USA in the Can-Am Snooker Challenge at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, and then went onto make his last appearance in a United States National Snooker Championship in 2012 at the Embassy Billiards Club, though he failed to qualify from his group.
Ajeya Prabhakar, the President of the USSA, said: "Paul will forever have the distinction of being remembered in the history of snooker in the United States as a National Champion, and so on behalf of the association I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to all of his family and friends."
