Niels Feijen, the Dutch pool virtuoso known as “The Terminator,” has made history as the first Dutch-born player to be inducted into the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) Hall of Fame. An embodiment of dedication and skill, Feijen’s induction into the sport’s most prestigious club recognizes his impressive career and significant contributions to the game of pool.

Born in The Hague in 1977, Feijen’s journey to pool greatness began at the age of 16 when he discovered his passion for the game. His pursuit of greatness took him across the Atlantic to the U.S. at the tender age of 20, where he competed against the stars he had previously admired on screen. As his career progressed, he started consistently placing in the top 10 in numerous international events, signaling the arrival of a new power player in the world of pool.

Feijen’s first major breakthrough came in 2008 when he won the WPA World Straight Pool Championship, announcing his arrival on the global stage. After finishing third in the WPA World 10-Ball Championship the same year, and runner-up twice in the WPA World 8-Ball Championship in 2010 and 2011, Feijen finally captured his second world title at the WPA World 9-Ball Championship in 2014.

His success didn’t stop there. In 2013 and 2014, Feijen won multiple tournaments, including the World Pool Masters, which he clinched again in 2018. These years marked his most prolific period, earning him back-to-back World Cup of Pool runner-up finishes, back-to-back runner-up finishes in the Derby City 10-Ball Challenge, and two Mosconi Cup wins with MVP honors. Feijen is also a three-time European 9-Ball Champion, a seven-time European Straight Pool Champion, and a European 8-Ball Champion.

Despite his numerous accolades, Feijen remains humble and ever-focused. “Obviously, this is a huge honor,” he said of his BCA Hall of Fame induction. “To be in the same club with my heroes — legends like Efren Reyes and Earl Strickland — is an amazing feeling. But it’s something I really didn’t think about at all until about five years ago. I was still focused on trying to win tournaments.”

Feijen’s induction into the BCA Hall of Fame is a testament to his undying passion and relentless pursuit of excellence in the game of pool. In recognition of his achievements, he was elected to the Hall of Fame by the USBMA Hall of Fame Board, receiving recognition on 79% of the submitted ballots in his fifth year on the ballot.

Feijen’s journey, from his first steps into a pool hall in The Hague to his induction into the BCA Hall of Fame, is an inspiring tale of talent, hard work, and an unquenchable thirst for success. He serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring pool players, proof that with persistence and dedication, it’s possible to achieve one’s dreams.

In November, Feijen will formally be inducted into the Hall of Fame in a ceremony to be held at the Norfolk Sheraton Waterside Hotel in Norfolk, Va, in conjunction with the 2023 International Open pool tournament. As we look forward to celebrating this significant milestone, we also anticipate many more thrilling performances from “The Terminator” in the years to come.

Feijen’s story is a tribute to the spirit of the game of pool — a testament to how far one can go with a cue in hand and a dream in the heart. As he prepares to take his rightful place in the BCA Hall of Fame, we honor Niels Feijen, a true champion and an ambassador of the sport he loves so dearly.