Masako Katsura has been a famous Japanese player in the field of billiards. She has dominated the game of billiards, especially in the Asian and European circuits. Despite her great achievements in her career, she has lost her life in a car crash. Her death has been a cause for mourning among the billiards community.
Childhood
Masako Katsura is a successful Japanese billiards player who has won several championships. She is known as the “First Lady of Billiards”.
Katsura started playing billiards at an early age. Her mother encouraged her to play, as she wanted her daughter to grow strong. By the time Katsura was fourteen, she was working at a billiards hall. At fifteen, she won the women’s straight rail championship in Japan.
After a period of absence, Katsura returned to competition in 1961. She made thirty exhibition appearances that year. In 2002, a memorial tournament was held in her honor in Japan. It was televised by SKY PerfecTV.
When Katsura was 13, she met Vernor Greenleaf, a master sergeant in the United States Army. He asked her to teach him how to play. During the course of the course, the two fell in love. They married in November 1950. The marriage ended when Greenleaf died in 1967. Before Greenleaf’s death, Katsura lived with her sister Noriko and her husband in Japan.
Professional career
Masako Katsura is a Japanese woman whose billiards career has been extremely successful. She has been ranked one of the top ten female billiard players in the world.
Masako Katsura was born in Japan in 1913. Her father died when she was only twelve years old. At the age of fifteen, Katsura started playing billiards professionally. During this time, she toured the United States, playing in exhibitions with billiards legends.
In addition to her billiards career, Masako Katsura also performed for Japanese soldiers during World War II. After the war, she toured the United States, playing for American troops.
While living in the United States, Katsura married American serviceman Vernon Greenleaf, who took lessons from Katsura. The two fell in love. They had a child, Noriko. Despite the fact that they were both working as billiards instructors, they decided to marry in November 1950.
When Katsura was 15 years old, she won the Women’s Straight Rail Tournament in Japan. This was a big event in Japan. During this competition, Katsura beat dozens of men from nearby cities. It was a big deal at the time, as women had never competed in the world championships.
Influence on billiards
The first lady of billiards, Masako Katsura was one of the most successful players of her time. She is credited with introducing billiards to women and helping to improve the sport’s image among female athletes.
Katsura was the first woman to compete in international billiards tournaments. After her success, she was recognized as a role model for women who pursue their passions.
As an early teenager, Katsura was introduced to the game by her brother-in-law, Tomio Kobashi. He taught her how to play the game and gave her lessons on the rules. Once she was able to understand the game, Katsura began practicing at the parlor.
At the age of 15, Katsura won her first billiards championship. Her performance at the tournament drew the attention of the Japanese champion. Kinrey Matsuyama (known as “Japanese Willie Hoppe”) saw a promising future for Katsy. He introduced her to three-cushion billiards.
With her newfound precision, Katsura won a number of prestigious tournaments. By the time she reached her mid-twenties, she was the most successful billiards player in Japan.
Death
Masako Katsura was a Japanese artist and billiards player. She was one of the best players in her field, and was also the first woman to compete in the world three-cushion billiards championship.
When she was twelve years old, Katsura’s father passed away. Her older sister married. After her parents’ deaths, Katsura stayed with her sister. At the age of fifteen, Katsura began competing in professional billiards tournaments.
Katsura began training under Kinri Matsuyama, who was the billiards champion. She also learned to play from her elder brother-in-law.
In 1948, Katsura met Master Sergeant Vernon Greenleaf in Japan. They emigrated to the United States in 1951. While living in the United States, Katsura married Greenleaf. The couple relocated to the Sacramento Mather Air Force Base in California. Their marriage was short-lived. Upon Greenleaf’s death in 1990, Katsura returned to her native Japan.
Before her marriage, Katsura had no children. However, after the death of her husband, Katsura and her family decided to live in Japan.
