YORKTON - In the world of sport being first to do something notable is rather rare.
So Brittany ‘The Bombshell’ Bryant can be duly proud of her recent accomplishment, capturing the Canadian championships in 8, 9, and 10-ball pool.
Bryant, who hails from Ontario, said the trifecta came at the end of a very emotional year.
“There were lots of ups and downs. It was an emotional roller coaster,” she said, adding it was earlier in the year she lost her father.
That was a blow given it was her dad who got Bryant started in cue sports.
“I actually went with my Dad. That’s how I got into it,” she said in an interview with this journalist in mid-2022. “He played league. I kept score for his team.”
This year she missed him at the big event.
“It was my first time playing the Canadian championships without Dad being at my side,” she said, adding that meant having to keep some added emotions in check while at the table. “. . . But I felt him there with me throughout. He'd be so excited and proud.”
“One other lady won two titles,” she said, noting that until 2011 there was only two, and then 10-ball became popular and a national event was set in that discipline too.
In terms of topping all three fields John Mora had done it previously.
Bryant said the triple win took a bit of time to sink in.
“My boyfriend actually let me know (it was possible),” she said, adding he wanted her to know she could make history. “. . . He wanted to put me in a positive mood and bear down and play well.”
Now with some time having passed, Bryant said she is appreciating what she did more.
“At the beginning it was a little surreal. . . When I was able to reflect on it . . . It’s something I’ll be able to tell my kids and my grand kids.”
It also allows time to be thankful.
“It’s the opportunity to play this game for a very long time,” she said, adding she now looks forward to more opportunities with a cue in-hand – including being part of a team Canada headed to the world team championships in Puerto Rico in November with John Mora and Alex Pagulayan.
“Hopefully we’ll make history there for Canada,” said Bryant.
Bryant said her attitude is always the same heading into a tournament.
“Hopefully I get into the finals at each event,” she offered.
So among the three, does Bryant have a preferred cue sport?
Well sort of it turns out.
“I’m most confident in 9-ball, but I like the game 10-ball better,” she said.
Bryant said 9-ball has been popular for years, and she has played in numerous events, “so I’m more confident and relaxed playing that game.”
But 10-ball offers new challenges Bryant said she enjoys. Likening it to “more of a chess game.”
In the case of 8-ball, Bryant said it was popular “when I got into pool,” but that has changed through the years. “. . . 8-ball is not played as much now. It’s more a game of the past. . . It’s not one we play on a regular basis now.”
