3-Cushion
SAN JAVIER - For his own crowd, in the region where he grew up, David Zapata (20) probably gets his last chance this week to win the junior world title in three cushion. He is one of the sixteen players in the championship, that will be held from 25 to 27 October. The Korean player Haeng Jik Kim, triple world champion, is the major contender.
Juan David Zapata is his main challenger in the town fifty kilometers from Murcia, others who will battle for the title are Jun Tae Kim, David Martinez, Omer Karakurt and Joao Pedro Ferreira.
The Spaniards play a home game with the young Sergio Aparicio as the third player.
Juan David Zapata, third year student in physical and sports science at the University of Murcia, child from a family with a brother of fourteen, is a product of the Spanish billiard school and considered already for a few years as one of the great talents in three-cushion.
He took the European title last year in Italy (Alcamo) with 1.660 average after a victory in the final against the Turk Omer Karakurt (30-18). David Martinez is another talent from the same region as David Zapata comes from.
,,We always train together,'' says David Zapata, ,,in the CAR of Los Narejos in Los Alcazares.''
Frits Bakker: How is the form and the confidence so shortly before the championship starts?
David Zapata: ,,I did a fantastic match on the training: 40 in 10 innings with runs of ten and fifteen. But training is not a match. I must show it now, in the Worlds.''
FB: You're in a difficult year of your studies for sure, one year before graduation. How did you prepare for the World Championship in your own country and town?
DZ: ,,We have trained as always, only more specifically to matches of 25 and 35 points, because it's very dangerous. And focused on the championship. I have nothing else on my mind this week, only billiards.''
FB: Will the tournament be played in your club?
DZ: ,,My club, where I started playing in 2005, is the organizer of the tournament, but it will be played in another center. I left CB San Javier to play in my current club, Casino de Cartagena, where I could meet stronger players.''
FB: How many times did you participate in the World Championship? And it is this your last, like for Haeng Jik Kim?
DZ:,, This is my second World Championship after last year in Guatemala, where I finished third and lost in the semifinals against Jun Tae Kim. Maybe it's my last, unless I will become European champion again. Then, according to the new CEB rules, I can play again.''
FB: Haeng Jik Kim, the triple champion, is the main contender for sure. Have you ever played against him?
DZ: ,,No, I never did. I respect him as a great player, but I am not afraid to face him. I hope I will play well, if we meet each other and I hope I can beat him.''
FB: How is the development of young talents in Spain? Are there, after David Martinez' and your junior years, more players prepared to make the step to international level?
DZ: ,,I think, especially young players from 14, 15 years. And Sergio Aparicio, who plays in this World Championship is a talent as well.''
FB: Do you see a future for yourself in billiards?
DZ: ,,It is my dream to become a professional billiards player, I will do everything for that.''
The World Championship is played from Thursday to Sunday (25-27 October) in Centro Civicio Principe Asturias in San Javier.
The flights are:
Group A: Haeng Jik Kim (Kr), David Martinez (Sp), Yussuke Mori (Japan), Pedro Reyes (Ecu).
Group B: David Zapata (Sp), Sun Ji Hoon (Kor), Manuel Lindao (Ecu), Raymon de Groot (Neth).
Group C: José Garcia (Col), Omer Karakurt (Tur), Matthieu Franck (Fra), Sergio Aparicio (Sp).
Group D: Jun Tae Kim (Kor), Willian Villanueva (Ven), Joao Pedro Ferreira (Por), Ahmed Hatem (Egy).