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Reyes Declared Champion of Champions
Aug 20, 2002, 2:49 PM

Reyes holds the winning check.

Efren Reyes triumphed at the 2002 International Challenge of Champions, held Aug. 14-15 at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn. Reyes defeated Finland's Mika Immonen in a sudden-death winner-takes-all tiebreaker to be crowned this year's "champion of champions."

Eight "international champions" took part in the made-for-TV event: Netherlands National Champion Neils Feijen; 2001 IBC tour winner Reyes, Taiwan's Hsiao-Lang Fang, Great Britain's Steve Knight, Australia's Johl Younger, American Cory Deuel, Japan's Satoshi Kawabata, and Immonen.

Reyes first defeated Feijen in the single-elimination race-to-7 first
round, 7-5; he then defeated Fang two sets in a row in the semi final, 5-2
and 5-3. Reyes lost his first set to Immonen in the final, 5-3, and won the
next, 5-4, to force the single-game tiebreaker which he clinched to win the $50,000 purse. The crowd gave Reyes' win a standing ovation.

The two semifinals and the Championship match were taped by ESPN for broadcast beginning August 25th. Check BD's online schedule and your local listings for exact times.