Efren Reyes is an iconic Filipino billiards player who is widely regarded as one of the best players in the game’s history. Nicknamed the ‘Magician’ for his extraordinary talent, Reyes’s career has spanned over five decades and has seen him become a world champion, a record-breaking winner of major tournaments, and an inspiration to aspiring players.
Early Life
Efren Reyes was born in Angeles City, Philippines in 1954. He grew up in poverty, and his father, a construction worker, was often absent from the family home. From an early age, Reyes showed an aptitude for billiards, and learned to play the game on the local pool tables. As a teenager, he began to compete in tournaments, and his skills soon earned him a reputation as one of the top players in his native country.
Professional Career
Reyes’s professional career began in 1974 when he won the National Pool Championships in the Philippines. His success in this tournament marked the start of a long and successful career, which saw him win numerous international tournaments throughout the 1980s and 1990s. In the 2000s, he became the first Filipino player to win the World Pool Championship, and in 2004 set the world record for most consecutive wins in a professional tournament.
Legacy
Reyes’s achievements have been recognized by the Billiards Congress of America, who awarded him the Player of the Decade award in 2001. He has also been inducted into the Billiard Congress of America’s Hall of Fame, and in 2006 was named one of the 10 Greatest Pool Players of All Time by ESPN. He continues to be an inspiration to aspiring billiards players around the world, and his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time will no doubt live on.
Efren Reyes is a living legend of billiards whose extraordinary skill and record-breaking achievements have made him one of the most revered players in the game’s history. His story of humble beginnings and success against all odds is a source of inspiration to aspiring players, and his legacy will no doubt live on for generations to come.
