3-Cushion
MEDELLIN - The Feria de las Floras tournament in Medellin ended in a final between two Colombian greats after an exciting run-up. Alexander Salazar won the match for the main prize beating Andres Naranjo. During the final day, the playing hall turned into an arena of emotions and tension for the Latin classic, which proved that the events in Colombia reach a high level every year. In one corner the challenger, Andres Naranjo, Pan American team champion, in the other the 'king of the house', one of the most successful players Colombia has known in billiards: Alexander Salazar.
The players competed in the final for a 6.000 dollar cheque. Salazar was the first to attack (17-5 in 14) and built a lead in the first half of the match after 40 points: 22-13 in 18. The Colombian three-time champion, two-time Pan American champion and one-time third at a World Championship felt a mixture of emotion and fear overtaking him as he approached the final point.
''I am happy with this title,'' Salazar said in a comment afterwards. ''This victory comes after many defeats, many ups and downs, many obstacles, and even after many injustices. I believe that life gives everyone what they deserve. Without any doubt my title is a reason to continue preparing for new tournaments.''
The most difficult match for Salazar was the final. ''I played a high level throughout the tournament, which allowed me to qualify for the final. There I started scoring a lot of points, but I know Naranjo very well, the matches with him are always exciting at the end.''
The euphoria of the crowd disturbed Salazar's focus and in the closing stages he was nervous: ''I felt the tension, my hand did not react, the cue did not have the effect I thought it would have.'' Naranjo brought the score to 22-22 in the Frit18th inning, but Salazar moved to 29-22 in the next inning with a run of 7.
In the last inning, the match went to a climax. Naranjo was leading 36-34, but it was Salazar who pulled the trigger in the final sprint with two runs of three points. The final score was 40-36 (1,379-1,241).
In the semi-finals Salazar easily won against Montoya, while Naranjo dealt a hard blow to Mexican Rodolfo Covarrubias. Naranjo emerged victorious in a thrilling match, which was only decided in the after match when Naranjo got to 40 first. In the counter attack Covarrubias made only one point, final score 34-40. Other Colombian stars such as Arley Galeano, Alejandro Piza and Heriberto Aristizabal were left out. Aristizabal was eliminated by Covarrubias in the quarterfinals.
Total prize money $15,200.
The final ranking:
1 Alexander Salazar (Col), $6,000.
2 Andres Naranjo (Col) 2,300 dollars
3. Rodolfo Covarrubias (Mex) 1,200 dollars
4 Arley Montoya (Col) 1,000