10-year-old Angelo Tsikouris returns to Top End after becoming dual Australian champion in eight-ball, snooker

Eight-ball and family are everything to 10-year-old Angelo Tsikouris, who has returned to the Top End with a bag full of silverware. Find out what he won.

10-year-old Angelo Tsikouris has returned home to the Territory after becoming a dual Australian champion. Picture: Gary Bradshaw

Eight-ball and family are everything to 10-year-old Angelo Tsikouris, who has returned home to the Northern Territory after becoming a dual Australian champion in his age group.

“I practice eight-ball in the mornings before school and after school on my own,” he said.

“Sometimes, I skip my homework to play eight-ball with my brother and Dad.

“I also have two training sessions a week on Thursday nights and Sundays.”

The pockets on a snooker table are narrower than those on a pool table, the surface is quicker, the balls are smaller and the cues are thinner.

Tsikouris said playing eight-ball “feels great”. Picture: Gary Bradshaw

After competing for weeks around Australia, Tsikouris has returned to the Top End with a bag full of silverware.

He began his winning streak in Albury, New South Wales, battling it out against five competitors to claim the under-12 national snooker title.

Tsikouris later travelled to Perth and claimed the under-12 eight-ball title, becoming a dual Australian champion for under-12.

Tsikouris with his newly acquired silverware. Picture: Supplied

He said he was grateful for the experience.

“It feels amazing to come home and have people congratulate me on my wins,” he said.

“I’ve learned a lot from John Hilton (coach) and my teammates … I also like it when my opponents tell me ‘You play well but here are some things you should remember for next time’.”

Tsikouris said he hoped to one day turn his hobby into something greater.

Tsikouris has thanked his coaches for their support. Picture: Gary Bradshaw

“My goal is to make it professional, win tournaments, make friends around the world, and one day represent Australia.”

Tsikouris’ father, George, said he could not be more proud.

“I feel incredibly proud and happy for him,” he said.

“Watching him grow into the young man he’s becoming has been such a rewarding experience.

Tsikouris said sometimes he skipped homework to practice his skills. Picture: Gary Bradshaw

“He’s naturally friendly, makes friends easily, and is very supportive, especially towards opponents and younger kids.”

Tsikouris’ mother, Natalie, said it was gratifying to watch her son’s interest in the sport grow.

“Angelo’s interest in eight-ball started with his grandfather, who plays amateur eight-ball down south,” she said.

Tsikouris said he wanted to continue his run of success well into the future. Picture: Supplied

“Every Christmas, when he’d see him, Angelo would want to play on the table, but his grandfather only let him play on the carpet to practice with a small stick and paper cup and only when he could get the ball into the paper cup he could advance to the table.

“When we finally got a table when Angelo was seven, he would sneak on to play whenever his dad wasn’t home.

“I would have to carry a step around the table for Angelo to stand on to help him take shots because he couldn’t quite reach.”

Originally published as 10-year-old Angelo Tsikouris returns to Top End after becoming dual Australian champion in eight-ball, snooker