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The Striking Viking, Ewa Mataya Laurance to be inducted into the WPBA Hall of Fame!

The Women’s Professional Billiard Association has announced it will induct Ewa Mataya Laurance in the “Greatest Player” category at its annual award banquet taking place November 12, 2 p.m. at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

Ewa Mataya Laurance is one of the most visible superstars in the history of pocket billiards. Known as The Striking Viking, she took the billiard world by storm when she moved to the US from her native Sweden at age 17. Ewa is the reigning International and World Cup Trick Shot Champion, holds multiple World and US Open 9-ball titles, has won the Swedish, European and WPBA National Championships and is a two-time Player of the Year.

Former # 1 ranked player in the world, Ewa has been named WPBA Sportsperson of the Year, BBIA Industry Service Award inductee, and in 2004 was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame. Ewa made an historic appearance on the cover of the New York Times Magazine and has been featured in numerous national publications, including People Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Glamour, Golf for Women and Cigar Aficionado. Ewa is also a frequent guest on television shows such as Late Night with David Letterman, The Today Show, The Early Show, Current Affair, LIVE with Regis and Kelly, Entertainment Tonight and The Best Damned Sports Show, Period. When not competing, Ewa serves as an ESPN Color Commentator. She also co-hosted GSN’s popular game show, “Ball Breakers.”

Ewa serves on the Board of Trustees of the Billiard Education Foundation and the South Carolina chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and is a columnist for Pool & Billiard Magazine. She is a frequent participant at various celebrity golf tournaments around the country. On tour, Ewa is sponsored by Brunswick Billiards. She is married to fellow ESPN commentator/ actor Mitch Laurance, has a daughter, Nacole.