Russian-American cue artist Fedor Gorst is arguably the top pool player today. He is, in fact, ranked No. 1 in the world, boasting two World Nine-Ball Championships to his name, a World Pool Masters title, and a host of other career-defining victories.
But, as in all sports, today’s best once looked up to yesterday’s finest. And in the case of Gorst, it’s none other than the Philippines’ own Efren “Bata” Reyes.
“I do consider him the greatest,” Gorst said when asked by Amsterdam Billiards if he considered Reyes as the GOAT of pool. “He’s the greatest in my book as well. He was the one I looked up to growing up. It feels surreal that we even played…”
Gorst, Reyes Catch Up in Amsterdam
Amsterdam Billiards had the chance to talk to Gorst in New York recently as it hosted a pair of exhibition matches between the legend, Reyes, and the legend-in-the-making, Gorst. The pair of exhibitions, according to the Russian-American pool player, were sold out, contributing to what the World No. 1 described as “an unbelievable” atmosphere.
While giving Reyes his flowers, Gorst also recalled to Amsterdam Billiards the first time he played The Magician in an exhibition.
“Last time we did it somewhere in Detroit, three or four years ago, the pool room was packed, everybody was stacked up, sitting to the ceiling…It’s a big honor to play somebody like that.”
Efren Reyes’s Case as GOAT
That somebody, of course, has a very strong case to be viewed as the GOAT of pool. Now 71, Efren Reyes achieved practically everything there was to achieve in billiards. He has World Titles in Eight-Ball and Nine-Ball, a couple of World Cup of Pool trophies, and several U.S. Open championships.
Efren Reyes also played in a style that captivated players and fans alike. He was—and still is—a magician with the cue, making impossible shots look routine and doing things in pool only he could ever imagine.
No wonder today’s top player considers Efren Reyes the GOAT.
