3-Cushion
SLUISKIL - The European junior champion Antonio Montes from Spain is one of the contenders at the World championship for players under 22, this week from 19 to 21 September in Sluiskil, the Netherlands. Kozoom spoke with him about his career, the new Spanish generation, his private life and chances in Sluiskil.
Profile:
Name: Antonio Montes Monferrer
Born: May 24, 1993
Lives in: Barcelona
Study or work: Study, Chemistry at the University of Barcelona
Girlfriend: Ainhoa.
Brand cue: Molinari
Frits Bakker/Kozoom: What did you do in billiards after your European title in the Netherlands? Did you show up in other important tournaments?
Antonio Montes: ,,I just trained like I did for the European championship. In the Spanish championship, I became tenth. I was outplayed by Dani Sánchez, the champion, in the last sixteen. And last weekend I survived one round at the World Cup in Porto.''
FB/Kozoom: How do you look back on this year so far? You have the feeling that you made a lot of progress?
Antonio: ,,It's a very special year for me. I won a major tournament and that's good for the motivation to continue my training program and try to improve. I have played a better average this year, compared to last year.''
FB/Kozoom: For which club do you play now? And what was the first club you've played for?
Antonio: ,,I play for Billar Club Sant Adrià and Club Billar Mataró; the first club where I started playing billiards was Billar Club Sant Adrià.''
FB/Kozoom: Which team are you going to play in the Spanish championship next year?
Antonio: ,,For Billar Club Mataro.''
FB/Kozoom: Do you have a trainer or coach now? And which trainer did you work with in the early years of your career?
Antonio: ,,I have two important friends who have helped me so far: Pascual Peña and Esteve Mata. When I started, there were many people in my club Sant Adrià, who showed me the way. But the first was my father. Then Pascual Peña, who brought me further... and later Esteve Mata, who was my trainer in free game for a number of years.''
FB/Kozoom: Is Dani Sánchez a great example for all young Spanish billiard players?
Antonio: ,,Yes he is, without doubt the best billiards player in Spain. All young players look up to him and try to learn from his game.''
FB/Kozoom: How does the future look like for the young talents in Spain? Are there many young players, are they trained by the federation?
Antonio: ,,I don't exactly know what the future looks like, but there are many talents in Spain. That's why I think, Spain will have new, strong players for the next few years. Many of them have been trained by the federation.''
FB/Kozoom: Can you tell us something about your daily, private life? What's your daily program? Many training, work, study? Do you live with your girlfriend or still at home with your parents?
Antonio: ,,I currently live with my parents and go to college, but I try to practice as much as I can, especially before the start of a major tournament. And I want to spend much time with my girlfriend Ainhoa. My study takes a lot of time, so it's difficult to find a good balance. Sometimes it is very stressful, study, billiards and family.''
FB/Kozoom: How did you grow up? Was your father a sportsman? Which sports are popular in the family?
Antonio: ,,I grew up with my parents. My father is a billiard player like me, but we also are football fans. One day, when I was thirteen, I took a walk with my dad and we decided to have a look in his billiards club. And I was very interested when I saw the people play there. When my father opened the door, he said: Welcome to the magical world of billiards!''
FB/Kozoom: How do you see your future in billiards?
Antonio: ,,I don't know exactly, but I'm very enthusiastic to continue and I hope to play the best tournaments with the best players in the world in the coming years.''
FB/Kozoom: Which other plans do you have for your future?
Antonio: ,,I hope to pick up my degree at the university within a few years.''
FB/Kozoom: What do you expect from the World championship in Sluiskil?
Antonio: ,,I would be satisfied if I could win a medal. Playing this tournament is a big challenge for me, so I will do my best.''
FB/Kozoom: Who do you see as your main competitors?
Antonio: ,,All players in such a World championship have a very good level, as we have seen at the European championship. But also the Asians and the South Americans have always very strong young players.''