Masako Katsura, a Japanese pool player, is regarded as one of the sport’s most well-known figures ever. In 1995, he passed away. His influence can still be seen in the world of pool. This article contains more information about his life, his inspirations, and his passing.
History
Masako Katsura’s career dates back to the 1920s, when she started competing in billiards competitions in Tokyo, Japan. When she participated in the 1930s, she was a talented player and became renowned as the “First Lady of Billiards.” She immediately became a successful international billiards competitor after relocating to the United States in 1951.
Women were not permitted to play competitive billiards prior to World War II. Masako Katsura, the first woman to participate in a global billiards tournament, changed that after the war. She participated in live billiards tournaments and played on television throughout her career.
Masako Katsura was a straightforward child. When she was just 12 years old, her father died, leaving her mother to raise her by herself. Katsura used to be a billiards parlour assistant when she was younger. Despite her rocky start, she soon gained Kinrey Matsuyama’s attention, the Japanese Willie Hoppe. He served as her mentor and assisted her in honing her gaming abilities.
In December 1951, Katsura relocated to San Francisco after receiving instruction from her instructor. Senior Chief Vernon Greenleaf was there when she met him. They married after falling in love. Greenleaf studied under Katsura while serving in the military. He was a commanding officer in the American Army Quartermaster Corps at the time. He requested Katsura to show him some pool techniques while he was still at the post.
Katsura had a natural knack for billiards and was a champion in the sport. She was an adept at pool and could defeat guys of any age from cities all across Japan. When she was 13 years old, she was an expert at pool.
Following her high school graduation, Katsura was hired by her brother-in-pool law’s hall. She worked on her billiards skills daily and quickly became a pro. She won the Japanese Women’s Straight-Rail Championship at the age of 15.
Katsura later won the International Three-Cushion Tournament in 1954. In the competition, she was the only female contender. Her performance was outstanding, as she finished in front of three notable male players.
Masako Katsura later won multiple championships in the US and Japan. Her amazing talent with trick shots helped her win a number of championships. She became a global sensation and took part in a number of interviews and other activities. In addition to her accomplishments, Katsura rose to fame as a billiards player. She took part in a lot of exhibitions throughout her life and travelled over the country.
Katsura accomplished a lot in her lifetime, despite the fact that her career was ended prematurely after a difficult loss against the reigning world champion. She is one of the best pool players in the entire world and the oldest professional female player in Japan.
Billiards influences
Masako Katsura, a WWII-era Japanese woman, is referred to as the “First Lady of Billiards.”In 1913, she was born in Tokyo , and by the time she was fifteen, she had achieved world-class billiards status. Her accomplishments made her well-known throughout the world.
Katsura’s father passed away when she was twelve. Her mother gave her advice on how to get into Billiards. At the time of 14, Katsura started working at a Billiards hall. She worked as an attendant for a while before taking a job as an employee at her sister’s pool hall. She was a seamstress at the time as well. Katsura began taking classes from her brother-in-law when she was a teenager. She participated in competitions in addition to getting lessons. She had achieved the women’s straight rail title in Japan by the age of 15.
She played for the Japanese Army and appeared in shows throughout her career. She ultimately relocated to California. Her marriage to American serviceman Verner Greenleaf took place at that time.
Welker Cochran, a world-class billiards player, extended an invitation to Katsura to travel to the US. The marriage took place in November 1950. Since they were stationed in San Francisco, they moved there. Soon after, Katsura and Cochran started their US tour, and she started competing in practice matches against different billiards legends. She wore a kimono for several of her appearances. In Japan, a lady doing this was thought to be unusual.
Katsura’s skill at billiards was not well-known prior to the war. Nevertheless, she was seen by Vernon Greenleaf, an American service member, at a billiards competition. He requested her to show him how to play . After that, he started to love her.
Despite not being the first woman to play professionally in billiards, Katsura became well-known for her abilities. Later, the disapproval she got increased her abilities. For her billiard tricks exhibitions, crowds of people would gather. Her competitive nature, however, was not always under her control. In addition, she had health issues.
However, Katsura’s career in billiards was never in danger. She frequently defeated the toughest male players when she was playing. She also served as a Japanese army student teacher. She received the Player of the Century honours for her accomplishments from the U.S. Billiard Media Organization.
Despite her accomplishments, Katsura frequently had problems with her stamina. After a game, she frequently felt exhausted. In her most recent contest, which lasted six matches and fifty points, she was defeated by seven-time world champion Harold Worst.
Billiards is not a sport for those who are weak of heart. It needs strength and precision. In an effort to disprove the myth that billiards was a pastime for men, Katsura displayed her billiards techniques while wearing her kimono.
