Carom
BRANDENBURG - The young Turkish talent Ömer Karakurt raised his cue, fell into the arms of some players, who had cheered him in the stands and celebrated his first major title with a big smile. He won the junior three cushion final against David Zapata, the Spaniard who had defeated him last year.
Ömer Karakurt now took revenge with a hard-earned and glittering victory (30-20 in 28 innings).
It was his first gold medal as a junior after two second places last year at the European championships (against Zapata) and the World championships, where he was beaten by the Korean Haeng Jik Kim.
The European title was also his last as a junior, because Ömer Karakurt makes the step to the seniors after this year. His three years younger brother is ready to take it over. ,,He has even more talent than me.''
The Turk not only sprankled with a superb finish in the final, like with the run of six on a score of 23-20. In the semi-final he defeated another Spaniard, David Martinez, with a miraculous final shot.
Two Dutch ladies reached the final in three cushion at the same moment. They play tomorrow (Sunday) for gold in a Dutch battle. Therese Klompenhouwer defeated Gülsen Degener 30-11 in 29 innings. Karina Jetten won 30-14 in 35 innings against the German Steffi Träm.