3-Cushion
GUATEMALA - Without the Dutch and European champion Glenn Hoffman, who was seen as one of the big favorites, but with the Korean title defender Haeng Jik Kim the Junior sorld championship under 21 will be played in Guatemala City from 10 to 12 October. Sixteen players, divided into four groups, compete for qualification in matches over two won sets, in the knockout stage with eight players there will be competed to three won sets.
It is the first time the championship will be organized in a Central American country.
The double world champion Haeng Jik Kim starts as the undoubted favorite, especially now that Glenn Hofman and Belgian Kenny Miatton are not allowed to play because the rules of age. In the Dutch league (the KNBB), their was a lot of anger after the refuson of Hofman. Section president Santos Chocron wrote a letter to the UMB with a strong protest, because the rules of participation were thanged at the last moment, but the UMB will handle the new regulations.
The most serious challenger of Haeng Jik Kim are now the two Spaniards, David Martinez, the vice-European champion and David Zapata, two exponents of the great Spanish youth lead up of Jose Maria Quetglas, but also the Colombian Alejandro Piza, the Pan American Junior champion with an average of 1.409. Furthermore, the two other Koreans are competitors for Kim, just like the Dutchman Jens van Dam.
The results of the tournament can be followed on the side of UMB and Kozoom.