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Souquet, DiLiberto Inducted into BCA Hall
Oct 20, 2011, 7:06 PM

CHESAPEAKE, Va. -- On the surface, Danny DiLiberto and Ralf Souquet don't have all that much in common. DiLiberto epitomizes the golden age of the hustler, a player who survived by outwitting and outplaying his competition on the road. Souquet is the prototype of the modern professional, shunning the action side of the game while packing his trophy cases full of major titles.

But on Thursday night, at the BCA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, those differences faded away. In the ballroom of the Chesapeake Marriott, the two entered the sport's most exclusive club together. And both showed plenty of appreciation for the other.

DiLiberto, introduced by fellow Hall of Famer Pat Fleming, tossed his usual wit Souquet's way to begin his speech. When asked by a fan if, in his prime, he could've beaten Souquet, DiLiberto apologized for saying yes.

"Because when I was in my prime, you were 3," he added.

In an acceptance speech that quickly turned into a litany of his best stories from 50-some years in the game, DiLiberto displayed his passion for the game — and the wit that has made him an unparalleled commentator on Fleming's Accu-Stats productions.

Souquet was then introduced by longtime friend Thomas Overbeck, currently the press officer for the European Pocket Billiard Federation. The 42-year-old German, the first European pool player inducted into the BCA Hall, relished the fact that the honor was a result of others validating his achievements.

And Souquet, still alive in this year's U.S. Open, is far from ready to sit on his laurels. Recently winning the World Pool Masters, World Cup of Pool and EuroTour Hungary Open, Souquet dropped a set this afternoon to Antonio Lining of the Philippines. But he's still alive on the one-loss side of the bracket, next facing former Mosconi Cup teammate Niels Feijen.