The Next Big Thing
Sunday, July 15th, 2007
Here at The Loss Column we’re not immune to the various diversions that help make sports go ’round.
And by “various diversions” I, of course, mean hot women.
It may offend some of our more delicate readers, but the truth is that hotness plays a major role in the promotion and enjoyment of sports. Surely I’m not breaking any news there (see: David Beckham’s arrival in LA). That said, we’re not about blatant exploitation. It’d be pretty hard to claim to offer intelligent analysis if we posted T&A. Even if it would mean dramatically increased traffic.
Every now and then, though, the sports world is blessed with a woman who combines good looks and hardcore talent, resulting in the kind of potent mix that even the most ascetic observer can hardly ignore.
Mia Hamm…Jenny Finch…Sue Bird…Biba Golic…Maria Sharapova…Lisa Andersen…Michelle Kwan…all are worth a hell of a lot more than how they look. The attention they get is warranted because they’re better than nine out of ten men out there who do the same things they do. But they still look good.
And so now, in a Loss Column exclusive, I bring you the next worthy addition to that list. Presenting Jasmin Ouschan (click the pic above for larger version).
Ms. Ouschan (pronounced “ocean”) is plainly hot. For more evidence, click here or here or here or here. But as it happens, she’s also one hell of a pool player. The 21-year old Austrian has already beaten pool legend Allison Fisher en route to the 2006 BCA Open Nine-Ball Championship and won the women’s World Cup this year. She’s even competed favorably in men’s tournaments, finishing fifth in the 2006 men’s World Straight Pool Championship.
She’s like Michelle Wie, plus ability and minus all the hype and nonsense.
It’s admittedly difficult, even with Google, to really follow the trends in pool. But from everything I’ve been able to glean, Ouschan is the real deal. Which means that you can figure on her eventual inclusion in an ESPN “hot athlete” poll, or perhaps the release of her own calendar. If my eye for spotting trends is half as good as I think it is, then Jasmin Ouschan is the next Jeanette Lee. Maybe even bigger.
I mention this for two reasons. One, I watched her play on ESPN a few weeks ago and was terribly impressed. She deserves attention because she’s really, really good. Two, when she hits the big time I want to be able to say that you heard it here first.
Selfish, yes. But nonetheless magnanimous.
