3-Cushion
The era in which young talents in the three cushion have to develop on national and international level has been disrupted by the COVID-19 crisis. How do they deal with this setback in their careers? Kozoom had interviews with young billiard players all over the world and this week completes the series of 12 articles. Today: Julián Vásquez (24) from Colombia
Name: Julián Vásquez
Age: 24
Residence: Envigado City, Colombia
Profession/study: Chief restaurant Master Billiard Club
Hobbies: -Football, gym, bicycle
Relationship: no girlfriend, no children
Billiard club: Master club billiards in Medellin city
Sponsors: Sponsors: Hanbat, Master club Billares, City Inder Envigado
Kozoom/Frits Bakker: How are doing for now, how do you deal with this long period of COVID crisis in Colombia?
Julián Vásquez: It has been a complicated year for everyone, but personally, I am doing well in my workplace. I have just started a project: my own restaurant, precisely in the Master club billiard. Then I thank God first for my health and my family and second for the opportunity that was presented to me at Master Club.
2. Kozoom: Is it a time of standstill an stagnation in your young career, when rapid progression is so important?
Julián Vásquez: We have to deal with critical moments, on several occasions, not to train again. First because of the harsh restrictions in my country, and secondly because of the lack of skills. I was very sad, obviously seeing the long time of confinement where I could not practice our beloved sport. We had a very strong calendar in my city with international tournaments, but the virus arrived. I am optimistic knowing that little by little we return to normality. And going back to competitions makes me very happy.
3. Kozoom: What is the current situation in your home town and your country in relation to COVID-19?
Julián Vásquez: Currently, in my city it is being reactivated commercially. We suffered a big crisis in Medellín, the second city in Colombia with the highest number of figures in infections, daily deaths and hospitals at 100% capacity. But now, the national government, seeing the good figures, has decided to open up many commercial sectors that did not have the opportunity to work normally since the start of this pandemic, such as the billiard clubs.
4. Kozoom: How were the conditions for training for you during these hard times?
Julián Vásquez: I have the ease of being able to train every day, my restaurant is located in the Master Club of Medellín and I can practice without problems thanks to the support of Mauricio Aguilar. Although, the truth is that I do not train as intensively as when I was active in youth competitions. But I restarted now that we have the opportunity, training sessions alone or with my friend and mentor Alexander Salazar.
5. Kozoom: What does your life look like without championships, tournaments and competitions?
Julián Vásquez: The truth is that it is difficult to assimilate to be not able to play important championships. Before the pandemic, championships were planned in Barranquilla, Guadalajara México, Cali, and they were cancelled. Tournaments are the motivation to train day by day, it is what makes me happy. Traveling to other cities or countries, doing what we like so much and obviously winning; I really miss those moments of total satisfaction.
6. Kozoom: What can you tell us about your country and federation, is everything done or planned to develop young talents in three cushion?
Julián Vásquez: Honestly, I must say that the Pan-American Confederation so far has not spoken at all. The Colombian Federation has held two youth events so far in the pandemic, one virtual and the other face-to-face, with success. But I do believe that they should interact and get closer with their promising players: young people, boys, girls, motivate them more, show them where they can go, convene training sessions through the leagues, have virtual talks with elite players in Colombia and America, classes with teachers on systems or technique, watch a training session, for example from José Juan García (our junior world champion). And that he himself is in charge of telling those young people why train? And why yes, billiards is worth doing. After this, the vision of a young person/child will surely change completely.
The costs of this aforementioned idea are very low and are key for young people to get on their way in their sports process, to feel supported by their federation, to start from the roots to change the chip from the traditional player to a professional one with the prospect of being champion of the world.
7. Kozoom: How do you see your future as a sportsman and possibly as a professional billiard player?
Julián Vásquez: Now that we have the opportunity to see the PBA, precisely our compatriot Robinson Morales, the way they treat an athlete, television, the prize pool, professionalism etcetera..., that is the greatest motivation I have to follow my sports career. For that I train and I visualize myself being part of that professional league.
Without detracting from the great work that the UMB does in its world events, with those players who are idols for many of us, it also motivates me one day to be able to participate in a World championship for seniors representing our beloved Colombia.
Thanks Kozoom and Frits for the interview, a hug from home in Colombia and I hope to see you soon.
Julián Vásquez, playing for Colombia at the world's stage
Julián Vásquez, with his friend and mentor Alexander Salazar on his way to the Pan Americans
Julián Vásquez in his club in Medellin