The stadium exploded as Efren unleashed some \u201cunbelievable\u201d shots, leaving the world champion helpless and watching. All predictions were dashed, and his opponent was humiliated in front of thousands of spectators. The most surprising thing was the decisive shot that has been talked about all over the world to this day.<\/p>\n
When the 2025 World Pool Championship kicked off in Kiel, Germany this week, all eyes were on the world\u2019s number 1 player \u2013 Francisco S\u00e1nchez Ru\u00edz, the reigning 9-Ball champion from Spain. With his devastating form and youthfulness, he was predicted to \u201cswallow up\u201d any opponent.<\/p>\n
On the contrary, the name Efren \u201cThe Magician\u201d Reyes appeared on the list of players, making many people smile with doubt. At the age of over 70, many people think that he only participates for fame, and that it is difficult to compete with the younger generation. European commentators even commented before the match:<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will only be an honorary friendly match. Reyes no longer has the speed and accuracy of before.\u201d<\/p>\n
No one expected that this contempt would be the beginning of a real \u201cnightmare\u201d.<\/p>\n
A difficult start \u2013 everyone thought Reyes was about to lose quickly<\/p>\n
VIDEO :<\/p>\n
Right from the first games, S\u00e1nchez Ru\u00edz showed his top form. He quickly took the lead, launching accurate breaks that made the audience nod in admiration. Meanwhile, Reyes had trouble with a few misdirected shots, missing the opportunity to equalize.<\/p>\n
The stands were noisy with chatter: \u201cMaybe this will be an easy win for S\u00e1nchez.\u201d On Twitter, the hashtag #EndOfMagic began to appear, implying that the Reyes era had ended.<\/p>\n
The atmosphere seemed one-sided\u2026 until the unthinkable happened.<\/p>\n
In a seemingly deadlocked situation, the 3 ball was blocked by a cluster of balls. The audience thought Reyes would play it safe to give way. But suddenly, he hit a daring three-cushion bank shot \u2013 the ball flew around like magic and gently dropped into the pocket.<\/p>\n
The audience erupted! The commentator shouted:<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is unbelievable! Reyes is rewriting the game!\u201d<\/p>\n
That moment seemed to spark an unbelievable comeback.<\/p>\n
After that shot, Reyes seemed to become a different person. He continuously launched tricky mas\u00e9 shots, causing the ball to spin sharply past the blocking ball. Then came the combo (hitting the 4 ball into the 9 ball in succession) that made his opponent sigh.<\/p>\n
In another situation, he hit a safety shot \u2013 stopping the cue ball right on the edge of the pocket, leaving S\u00e1nchez with no legal shot. The audience stood up and applauded non-stop, many people held their heads and shouted:<\/p>\n
\u201cUnbelievable! At this age, Reyes is still like that!\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, S\u00e1nchez began to falter. He missed two consecutive shots, his face darkened, and he kept wiping his sweat. From his initial confidence, the world champion gradually fell into a state of stalemate.<\/p>\n
When the score was balanced, the atmosphere was so tense that everyone held their breath. The 9 ball was blocked, and there seemed to be no way to finish. S\u00e1nchez breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that the old Filipino would be helpless.<\/p>\n
But Reyes smiled, bowed low, and then suddenly hit a jump shot \u2013 the cue ball jumped over the blocking ball, straight into the 9 ball and ended the game with a shocking scream.<\/p>\n
The camera panned to the audience: some held their heads, some jumped up, some Filipino fans cried with happiness. Meanwhile, S\u00e1nchez slumped in his chair, shaking his head:<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t believe this is real. He is a magician.\u201d<\/p>\n
Immediately after the match, international media reported:<\/p>\n
ESPN: \u201cThe magic never goes away \u2013 Reyes knocks out the world champion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eurosport: \u201cThe shock of the decade \u2013 the 70-year-old legend defeats the current ruler.\u201d<\/p>\n
ABS-CBN Philippines: \u201cThe whole nation is proud \u2013 Reyes once again raises the bar for billiards in our country.\u201d<\/p>\n
On social media, the hashtag #EfrenMagic quickly climbed to the top of global trends. The clip of the final jump shot was shared millions of times in just a few hours, TikTok was flooded with slow-motion videos accompanied by screams from the audience.<\/p>\n
A fan wrote:<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not billiards, this is magic!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReyes makes me believe that time does not exist for geniuses.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the press conference, S\u00e1nchez was disappointed but respectful:<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought I had the game under control. But when he started\u2026 I just sat there and watched. He\u2019s one of the reasons I play pool today.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for Reyes, he was modest:<\/p>\n
\u201cI just tried to enjoy the game. I was lucky to have a few successful shots. But if the fans are happy, that\u2019s a real victory.\u201d<\/p>\n
This match was more than just a victory. It was proof that Efren \u201cThe Magician\u201d Reyes\u2019 class has not faded with time. At over 70 years old, he can still knock out the world champion with shots that have the whole planet talking.<\/p>\n
The question remains:<\/p>\n
Is this just a legendary moment, or does Reyes still have the ability to create more \u201cnightmares\u201d for the younger generation?<\/p>\n
Could his \u201cmagic\u201d open a new chapter for global billiards?<\/p>\n
What do you think? Is it just luck\u2026 or is it a real miracle?<\/p>\n
When the legendary Efren \u201cBata\u201d Reyes<\/strong> steps onto a billiards table, the world stops to watch. Even at his age, the Filipino magician continues to cast spells on the green felt that no one can quite explain. On this night in Japan, inside a packed arena filled with anticipation, the crowd roared as Efren Reyes walked toward the table for a highly anticipated rematch against Japan\u2019s sharpshooter Hayato Hijikata.<\/strong><\/p>\n This was no ordinary exhibition match. This was a battle of pride, skill, and magic<\/strong>. Hijikata, known as one of Japan\u2019s rising stars and a champion in his own right, had promised to redeem himself from a previous encounter with Reyes. The stage was set for a 10-ball, race-to-8 clash<\/strong>, and no one in the audience could have predicted the shockwaves that would follow.<\/p>\n From the very beginning, the excitement in the room was electric. Japanese fans, known for their discipline and respectful silence during matches, found it impossible to hold back their energy when Efren Reyes entered. The applause was thunderous, camera flashes illuminated the arena, and chants of \u201cRe-yes! Re-yes!\u201d<\/strong> echoed, blending with the Japanese cheers for Hijikata.<\/p>\n For many in the crowd, this was their first time seeing Reyes live<\/strong>\u2014the man whose name had become synonymous with genius in the world of billiards. Videos online had already convinced them of his supernatural skill, but watching him in person was something else entirely. The aura was different. His calm walk, his easy smile, and his trademark way of chalking the cue already spoke of a man ready to create magic once again.<\/p>\n VIDEO :<\/p>\n The first racks immediately revealed the intensity of the match. Hijikata, younger, stronger, and more aggressive, came out swinging. His break shot was thunderous, scattering the balls across the table with precision. He sank the first couple of balls and quickly cleared the rack to take the opening point. The Japanese fans erupted in pride, believing this would be the night their hero finally humbled the great Efren Reyes.<\/p>\n But Reyes did not flinch. With his usual nonchalant expression, he approached the next rack. His break wasn\u2019t as powerful as Hijikata\u2019s, but his cue ball control was exquisite. Slowly, with calculated finesse, Efren worked his way around the table. Where others would struggle with awkward ball positions, he seemed to glide effortlessly, making impossible angles look routine. By the time he pocketed the 10-ball, the audience gasped in disbelief. Efren had tied the score, 1-1.<\/strong><\/p>\n As the match progressed, it became clear that this was not just a game\u2014it was a masterclass.<\/strong> Reyes pulled off shots that defied physics. At one point, faced with a nearly impossible snooker where the cue ball was trapped between the rails, Reyes executed a three-rail escape that not only hit the target ball but pocketed it cleanly into the side pocket.<\/p>\n The arena erupted into chaos. Japanese fans stood from their seats, hands covering their mouths in shock. Even Hijikata paused, staring at the table in disbelief, shaking his head with a smile that said, \u201cHow is this even possible?\u201d<\/p>\n The commentators repeatedly described it as \u201cMajikku!<\/strong>\u201d \u2014magic. Clips of the shot quickly spread online, with netizens calling it another addition to Reyes\u2019 endless highlight reel of brilliance.<\/p>\n To his credit, Hijikata did not crumble under pressure. The young Japanese champion showed why he was highly respected in the billiards world. His powerful breaks and precise shot-making allowed him to stay in the game. Every time Reyes pulled ahead, Hijikata found a way to claw back.<\/p>\n At 4-4, the tension in the room was palpable. Every rack felt like a final. Fans of Hijikata chanted his name, urging him to push forward, while Reyes\u2019 loyal supporters whispered prayers for another miracle.<\/p>\n But in those crucial moments, experience spoke louder than youth. Reyes\u2019 patience, wisdom, and unshakable nerves began to shine.<\/p>\n The turning point came in rack 9. Hijikata had a golden opportunity to take the lead, but a slight miscalculation on the 7-ball left him hooked on the 8. Attempting a risky kick shot, he failed to make contact, handing ball-in-hand to Reyes. The Magician, calm as ever, seized the chance. With surgical precision, he cleared the table and moved ahead 5-4.<\/p>\n From there, Reyes shifted gears. He began dictating the pace of the game, using his cunning to outmaneuver the younger player. Safety plays, delicate positioning, and mind-bending bank shots frustrated Hijikata, who could only watch as the Filipino legend pulled away.<\/p>\n At 7-6, with Reyes on the hill, the tension reached its peak. The audience sat in complete silence as Reyes prepared his break. The balls exploded across the table, and the cue ball stopped dead in the center\u2014perfect control. One by one, Efren cleared the rack, every shot executed with artistry.<\/p>\n When the final 10-ball dropped, the crowd erupted. Efren Reyes had won the rematch, 8-6.<\/strong> Hijikata bowed in respect, acknowledging the greatness of his opponent. Reyes, ever humble, simply smiled and extended his hand, the gesture of a true sportsman.<\/p>\n What followed was a scene unlike anything Japan had witnessed in a billiards arena. Fans crowded the railings, shouting Reyes\u2019 name, begging for autographs and selfies. Social media exploded with reactions:<\/p>\n \u201cHow can a man of 64 still play like this?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHijikata is a champion, but against Efren, he looked like a student.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is not just billiards, this is pure magic.\u201d<\/p>\n Videos of the match racked up millions of views within hours. Commentators called it one of the greatest exhibition matches ever held in Japan.<\/p>\n The match was more than just a victory\u2014it was proof that age has not diminished Reyes\u2019 genius.<\/strong> At 64, when most players have long retired, Reyes continues to amaze the world with his creativity, vision, and daring.<\/p>\n His ability to read the table like a chess master, his instinct for impossible shots, and his humility in victory make him a once-in-a-lifetime legend. Hijikata himself admitted after the match:<\/p>\n \u201cPlaying against Reyes is like playing against magic. You think you\u2019ve won, but he finds a way to create something impossible. He is the true Magician.\u201d<\/p>\n The rematch between Efren \u201cBata\u201d Reyes and Hayato Hijikata<\/strong> will go down as one of the most thrilling exhibitions in billiards history. What began as a challenge to prove that Reyes\u2019 age had caught up with him ended as another testament to his timeless mastery of the game.<\/p>\n For Japan, it was a night of shock and awe. For the world, it was another reminder that the Magician\u2019s magic has not faded\u2014and perhaps never will.<\/p>\n Even at 64 years old, Efren Reyes continues to redefine what it means to be a legend. And as long as he holds a cue, the world will keep watching, waiting for the next impossible shot that only he can conjure.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The stadium exploded as Efren unleashed some \u201cunbelievable\u201d shots, leaving the world champion helpless and watching. All predictions were dashed, and his opponent was humiliated in front of thousands of spectators. 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