3-Cushion
SAN JAVIER - He is the triple world champion, Haeng Jik Kim, but after today's start of the World Championship he knows that his fourth title will be a walk on thin ice. Two strong Spaniards, who play for his own audience in San Javier, prey on the throne of the Korean title holder.
David Zapata was the star player on the first day with an exceptionally strong performance against Manuel Lindao. And David Martinez did an excellent job beating the world champion in his preliminary round match: 25-22 in 17 innings.
The two Spaniards have entered the tournament with great ambition and are smoking hot. David Zapata said before the start: ,,I respect Haeng Jik Kim, but I am not afraid and will try to beat him.''
His training partner David Martinez showed it on the first day: he defeated the Korean with a full speed sprint at the end: 1.471 average.
David Zapata did even beter against Manuel Lindao with 2.500, a run of nine and a riant score: 25-10. Both Zapata and Martinez with two victories secured already for next round.
The Portuguese Joao Ferreira had a modest start with a win over the Venezuelan Willian Villanueva (25-19 in 25). Raymon Groot from the Netherlands recovered from his loos in the first session and defeated the Korean Ji Hoon Sun.
June Tae Kim, finalist last year, is one of the outsiders in the championship: he won his first match without any resistance against Ahmed Hatem (25-8 in 20).
Omer Karakurt is a dangerous opponent for the top favorites as well. The Turk started with a victory over Frenchman Mathieu Franck: 25-15 in 23).