In the gleaming light of the arena, with thousands watching around the world, one young man stepped forward brimming with confidence, and perhaps, just a little too much of it. Hijikataâa rising star from Japanâs new generation of pool talentsâhad been making headlines with his slick shots, flawless stance, and a charisma that had the media dubbing him âthe future of Asian billiards.â Fans admired his youthful energy, his sharp instincts, and his hunger for greatness.
So when the announcement came that he would be facing Efren âBataâ Reyes, the living legend of the sport, Hijikata didnât flinch. In fact, he smiled. During a pre-match interview, he boldly stated:
âEfren is a legend, yes. But legends are from the past. I represent whatâs next.â
Those words echoed across the internet. Some applauded his bravery, others shook their heads. But all agreed on one thing: he had lit a fuse.
Efren Reyes, often referred to as âThe Magician,â didnât say much in return. As always, his cue would do the talking.
A Clash of Eras
Hijikata came out strong. The opening break was clean and explosive. He cleared the table with mechanical precision. The crowd roared. Cameras flashed. His confidence was sky-high. After pocketing the final 9-ball in the first rack, he gave a respectful nod toward Reyes, but it wasnât hard to see the glint of pride in his eyes.
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The second rack? Similar story. Hijikata was fast, sharp, and seemingly unstoppable. The whispers began. âCould this be the match where the legend falls?â
But while Hijikata was sprinting, Reyes was studying.
He watched silently, his eyes following every shot the young player made. And then, in the third rack, Hijikata made a tiny mistakeâa slight miscalculation in positioning the cue ball. It wasnât even noticeable to many. But to Efren Reyes, it was an open door.
And thatâs when the match changed.
The Magician Strikes
Efren stepped up to the table. Calm. Silent. Almost gentle. His first shot was a near-impossible safetyâa move that left Hijikata confused and trapped. The young player looked around, blinking, suddenly unsure. Reyes had turned the tide with a single stroke.
What followed was a masterclass in control, deception, and creativity. Reyes didnât just play poolâhe painted with it. Banks, kicks, reverse spins⊠each shot was a puzzle, and he solved them effortlessly. The audience, initially loud and energetic, fell into a stunned silence. You could hear the chalk tapping his cue.
Hijikata, who moments ago looked invincible, was now seated, eyes wide, watching his idol dismantle the table with wizard-like precision. Shot after shot, Reyes didnât just play betterâhe played differently. He bent the laws of geometry. He made the balls dance. The magician had arrived.
By the fifth rack, Hijikata was visibly nervous. His earlier swagger replaced by cautious concentration. But the damage had been done. Reyes had shaken him. The momentum had flipped, and with it, the energy of the entire building.
The Turning Point
Then came the defining moment.
Hijikata was given a slight opportunityâReyes had left him with a tough, but makeable long shot on the 3-ball. The young star took a deep breath, aimed, and fired.
He missed.
Reyes walked to the table, leaned slightly, and delivered the shot of the nightâa triple rail kick that not only contacted the object ball but sank it cleanly into the corner pocket and positioned the cue ball perfectly for the next. The crowd ERUPTED.
Even Hijikata couldnât help but shake his head and smile in disbelief.
This wasnât just a game anymore. It was a lesson.
A Humbling End
In the final rack, Reyes slowed things down. Each shot deliberate. Each pause filled with tension. It was like watching a master chef prepare a final dishâprecise, patient, and perfect. When he sank the last 9-ball, sealing the match, the crowd rose in thunderous applause.
Hijikata stood and walked over. With both hands, he respectfully bowed to Reyes.
And then, Reyes placed a gentle hand on the young playerâs shoulder, leaned in and said with a humble smile:
âYouâre good⊠but not good enough. Not yet. Keep practicing.â
The words werenât arrogant. They werenât meant to humiliate. They were Reyesâ way of passing the torchânot by giving it, but by showing how heavy it really is to carry.
The Aftermath
Social media exploded. Clips of Reyesâ comeback flooded the internet. Fans and professionals around the globe praised not just his skill, but the way he playedâwith elegance, humility, and quiet dominance. The match became an instant classic, a moment where experience reminded youth that brilliance is forged through decadesânot just talent and ambition.
Hijikata later took to Instagram and posted a photo of him shaking Reyesâ hand, with a caption that read:
âI lost the match, but I won a lesson Iâll never forget.â
The pool world responded with admiration. Many believe that this humbling moment will be the spark that shapes Hijikata into a future greatâbecause sometimes, being humbled by a master is the greatest gift a young talent can receive.
A Legend Reinforced
Efren Reyes, once again, proved that while time may age the body, true genius never fades. He didnât have to shout. He didnât have to prove anything. He simply did what he has always doneâlet the cue speak.
And on that night, it spoke loudly, clearly, and with a message that left the entire world stunned:
"Underestimate the master, and the master will remind you why he's still the best."
