3-Cushion
SAN JAVIER - The stands filled with school kids, a wonderful atmosphere on the first day and a promising start for the Spanish favorites. The World Championship for juniors has kicked off this morning with its first sessions: four machtes have already been played. David Zapata, one of the major contenders, was the best winner: 25 points in 16 innings (1.562).
The Spanish organizer showed himself an excellent host for the sixteen players who will compete for the world title. The many young school kids in the audience were cheering for everyone, but of course the most of all for their own favorites. Sergio Aparicio, the youngest of three Spaniards, was welcomed by a deafening ovation when he entered the room for his first match.
David Zapata, Haeng Jik Kim, David Martinez and Manuel Landao were the first winners. The level was high from the start, especially in Zapata and Kim's matches.
Haeng Jik Kim defeated the Ecuadorian Pedro Reyes 25-18 in 18 innings, David Zapata flaunted with a great start and toyed with his Dutch opponent Raymon Groot: 25-9 in sixteen innings.
The other Ecuadorian, Manuel Lindao, surprised with a victory over the Korean Ji Hoon Sun (25-20 in 22) and David Martinez stunned the Japanese Yusuki Mori after a shining start (run of 8), a slight hickup, but then an easy win at the end: 25-16 in 22.