Exclusive: How Tasneem Solomons Became the Legend Slayer of World Eight-Ball Pool

Cape Town-born professional pool player Tasneem Solomon was the first South African woman to obtain the World Eight-ball Pool Federation Ladies title. 

In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom, she opened up about her passion for the sport and what her journey has been like.

POOL RUNS IN THE FAMILY

Solomons explained that she first took an interest in pool at the age of 14 as she was inspired by her older sister. 

“I started finding interest in the game at the age of 14 years old. I started playing in 2003. Having an older sister, Fatima Buckton, she was playing pool for some time. I aspired to be a player as she was, at that time," Solomons told SportsBoom.com.  

"My parents had a pool shop attached to our house. Where my sister and I would practice under strict supervision of my father. As time went by my father, Ismail Solomons taught us and coached the two of us. Later I would play with my sister in local leagues, national level and internationally.”

“The knowledge and experience we gained in playing with fellow pool players made us stronger and more competitive. Together we still reached our goals and went our separate ways, as she fell ill with a liver condition, and could not participate any further. I then took it upon myself to accomplish our goals in the sport.”

The journey to becoming the first South African to hold the Eight-ball Pool Federation Ladies title was no walk in the park for Solomons. 

Standing in her way were multiple World Ladies Champions. 

She earned the title of WEPF Ladies World Champion by overcoming a series of formidable opponents, each a multiple-time world champion. Her journey to victory saw her defeat four past WEPF Ladies World Champions, earning her the nickname "Legend Slayer."

In the Last 16, she secured a 7-3 win over Amy Beauchamp, the 2017 and 2019 World Ladies Champion. She then faced Emma Cunningham, a three-time world champion (2005, 2011, 2013), in the quarter-finals, emerging victorious with a 7-5 triumph.

The semi-final brought another tough challenge against Barbara Taylor, the 2018 and 2022 World Ladies Champion, but she dominated the match with a 7-3 victory. In the final, she battled Kirsty-Lee Davies, the 2014 World Ladies Champion and three-time Ladies Welsh Eight Ball Champion, in a closely contested match, ultimately claiming the title with an 8-7 win.

SHUTTING OUT ANY NEGATIVITY

The World Champion experienced a great run of form in the tournament. 

A run of form that doesn’t just happen without tremendous practice and grit.

“Staying on this level demands constant practising and mental fitness.”  

“I practice 5-6 days a week for around two hours, doing drills and practising various shots. This mentioned, excludes all the competitions I participate in. I surround myself with positive people and shut out any negativity, just to maintain my mental health.”

Speaking of how she felt when she was crowned the World Champion, Solomons expressed that it was overwhelming.

“It is a feeling that is difficult to put into words. It is an overwhelming feeling, yet it feels like I am on top of the world, knowing that I have accomplished one of my life goals.”

As a country, South Africa has been climbing the ladder in the world of cue sports, participating in a number of world events. 

“In total I’ve been to five World Championships. In 2010 I represented South Africa in France at the Blackball World Championship where the South African team was crowned world champions. In 2012 I participated in the Test series in England where South Africa were also crowned as winners. My sister Fatima and I won the Blackball World Doubles title in 2016 as well. I’ve participated here in 2022 where I reached the quarter final stage. In this last ladies World Eight-ball Pool Championship, I played many ex champions on the way to the title. This is my biggest achievement to date!” 

“Support, especially in pool, plays a very big role because you feed off the energy that your supporters are giving you,” I have a lot of support from ‘my’ people.”

Cue sports in South Africa can change the lives of the youth. 

The country has grown significantly in the sport over the years. Youngsters from every corner have developed a great passion for the sport with role models like Solomons giving them hope and belief.

“My long time goal is to open my own pool academy, where I want to teach the youth my skills and knowledge. Keeping the youth off the streets and away from gangsterism and in a small manner contribute to my community. In pool you need to be talented, skilled and you also need patience, endurance and have mental endurance. The game teaches you discipline, etiquette and you feel a sense of belonging.”

“Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts. Life in general is not easy. Even in the best circumstances, but if we all can make a small difference in somebody’s life, we all can contribute to making our country, South Africa, a better place to stay in.”