3-Cushion
GUATEMALA - The 19-year-old Korean Haeng Jik Kim has become Junior World champion three cushion for the third time in his caree. In the final of the tournament, played in Guatemala, he defeated his three years younger compatriot Jun Tae Kim 3-1 (1.406 average). The Korean-final closed the three-day tournament, in which David Zapata from Spain and Alejandro Piza from Colombia ended up as third in the ranking.
Haeng Jik Kim had an excellent final day at this seventh World championship for juniors under 21 years: he first defeated Piza in the semifinals, 3-0 and averaged 1.5, then he showed himself the strongest in the final match. Jun Tae Kim reached the final by winning in the semifinal 3-2 against David Zapata (1.2 average).
Haeng Jik Kim took his third world title in Guatemala after his victories in 2007 and 2010. The only player between those years was Javier Palazón from Spain. Next year Haeng Jik Kim may play for the last time in the Junior championship.
Haeng Jik Kim is a talent from Suwon, he now lives throughout the year in Germany, playing in the leagues of the Netherlands and Germany. His oponent in the final, Jun Tae Kim, is from Seoul, but both players visited the same high school. William Oh, the coach of the Koreans in Guatemala: ,,The high school is very famous because of Haeng Jik and has his own billiard club now. Many students who go to this school, wants to learn play billiards.''