3-Cushion
MEDELLIN – When he’s walking through the room or around the billiard, Eddy Leppens’ popularity is immeasurable in the Feria de las Flores tournament in Medellin. The Belgian, last year in the semifinals defeated on one carom by Semih Sayginer (who won the final against Tayfun Tasdemir) poses for pictures, shakes hands, talks to the players, the organizers and the audience and plays billiard on a very high level.
He is one of the contenders to win the tournament, but he knows how big the competition is from the Colombian star players, from Luis Aveiga and Rodolfo Covarrubias. ,,The are all strong players who can play around 1.500 up to 2.000.’’
Eddy Leppens is the only European player in the tournament this year. ,,I was invited last year by Vandenver Reina and I introduced him to Kozoom, because he wanted to work as reporter for South America. He is still grateful, that he is part of the Kozoom team now. And said to me last year: ,,If there’s a chance next year, I will ask them to invite you.’’
And therefore now it sounds the entire day. ,,Hola, maestro.'' Eddy Leppens has stolen the hearts of Colombians, not only with his friendly laugh, especially with his world class. The Belgian, searching for a top twelve spot at the world rank already for years, demonstrates his class in all tournaments. Most recently in the tournament in New York, with 2.200 average in the prelims. Yet he was eliminated for the main tournament by Raymond Ceulemans, the old master, who surpassed himself in a world match.
The same happened to Eddy Leppens in many other great tournaments, starting with one of the best averages, but just not enough at the crucial moment to join the world top.
,,I keep on working hard and know that it once will happen'', he says at the start of the second day in Medellin, where the main tournament with 64 players will be reduced to 32 today when two players in each of sixteen groups qualify.
,,Hola maestro.''
Eddy Leppens beams: ,,I like the Colombian atmosphere very much. The people are incredibly warm, the entourage is great. The room is not perfect, it's typical South American, but these people are doiong everything to organize a wonderful tournament. I have a great admiration for that, because I am an organizer myself and I know what's needed for a good tournament.’’
The thirteen year old Colombian boy, Jefferson Rojas, who came to the table yesterday, was an example of the gorgeous ambiance in the room. ,,He’s a wonderful boy, with a nice stroke, who has to learn a lot of course. But people appreciate him and are enthusiastic when he’s playing.''
Eddy Leppens himself has qualified after two victories in his group and will show up in the knock out round with 32 players. The composition will be known in the upcoming hours.