There has recently been discussion and even some controversy over a new product on the market called Cheqio (check-e-oh). According to the Cheqio website, the product is, initially designed for, “Precision sportsmen to stay focused and concentrated for a longer period of time during demanding situations.”
Cheqio comes in two forms; the Precision Capsule and the Precision Drink.
Long-time pool professional and Cheqio customer, Darren Appleton talks about the right way to use the Cheqio products, and why he believes it can beneficial to anyone’s game when used correctly.
It was the World 8-ball Championship in China, 2015 Semi-final match. Appleton, tied up the match at 19-19 in a race to 21. It was close to 11:00 pm, and players had been going non-stop since 9:00 in the morning.
“This was the biggest pressure situation I’ve ever been in,” says Appleton while recalling the late night make-or-break match.
Any player at this point would be shaky, tired, fatigued and even mentally drained. But, not Darren Appleton.
“Without Cheqio, I would not have won that match,” Says Appleton. The match ended with Appleton winning 21-19.
That was a day of more than 13 hours straight on a table. Anyone would get tired or unfocused after that. Appleton says that because of Cheqio, he does not have a fatigued feeling, shakiness or break of concentration that other products have given him in the past.
A Cheqio associate discusses how the need for another ‘energy product’ came about:
“Rudy [the company owner] and one of his business partners used to play snooker and they experienced their own lack of concentration. There were already lots of supplements for sports [and] fitness, athletics, sprinting, etc. But not for precision sports, such as snooker, pool, billiards, darts, golf, etc. To fill in this gap, they contacted experts in dietary supplements in order to develop a product that would increase focus, concentration and stamina.”
Because Cheqio is an all-natural product, it has none of the negative side effects that other energizing products such as Red Bull, Coffee or energy shakes, have.
Cheqio says the only negative complaint they have gotten is the taste of the drink, but “that’s something we guess people need to get used to: Not a sweet drink and the pure taste of saffron and other nutrients.”
“I used to drink a lot of coffee, which was stupid, “ says Appleton. He also comments on how he used to drink shakes for energy but, “they’re a pain in the ass to make all the time.”
Cheqio is simple and consistent. Appleton’s routine is one that works for him. On days that he knows will be long days, he takes a Precision Capsule at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and again at 5pm. On longer days when it gets to be a grind around 7pm or 10pm, Appleton will have a Precision drink or another Capsule to make it through.
“You need to find out how much or little works for you. Not everyone is the same”, warns Appleton.
Now, Cheqio is not for all athletes or competitors. It seems to be blowing up in the billiards, darts and archery world. Here’s what Cheqio had to say about that:
“We are targeting in pool, billiards, darts, golf and other precision sports, In these sports, you need to be focused all the time. Even a 1% better focus could be the difference between winning or losing said several players. And who know, maybe in the future the more active sports could benefit from Cheqio as well. [Baseball is also a sport that’s quite suitable but the roots of our founder are in billiards].”
Maybe someday this product will stretch across a broader spectrum of athletics, but for today it stays in concentration and mental stamina-heavy competition.
Darren Appleton has been using Cheqio for 1.5 years (and started during the Mosconi 2014), but has officially been sponsored by the brand for a year.
He names a few Pool Professionals that also use and swear by the product: Ralf Souquet, Jayson Shaw, Karl Boyes and Scott Frost. All, undoubtedly established, competitors.
Appleton’s advice for people who want to use Cheqio but are skeptical is this; “Take the time to experiment. [Don’t be naive.]Try one in the morning or one at night to start.”
Appleton says he looks forward most to playing Shane Van Boening, “because of his break. He brings out the best in me.”
Maybe, with the help of Cheqio, we will see some different outcomes in Appleton’s future matches.
This is not a product that will change you magically in minutes, but if used correctly, could increase your mental stamina and concentration exponentially.
For more information on Cheqio, visit their website at Cheqio.com.
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Sponsored by POV Pool and Jacoby Custom Cues
Author: Jeanna Diedrich
Editor: Shaylyn Troop
Photo Credit: Cheqio Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/cheqio/photos