MURCIA - The Spanish three-cushion title has been won by Carlos Anguita this Sunday. The 28-year-old player, who was the world junior champion in his younger years, beat Carlos Crespo 40-33 in 25 innings in the final in Murcia. It was Anguita’s first Spanish title after the world title he won in his hometown Los Narejos in 2017, where he trailed current world champion Myung Woo Cho, among others. And Carlos was third at the World Junior Championship in Turkey in 2018 (Myung Woo Cho champion).
Carlos Anguita, by winning the Spanish title for his country, may go to the World Championships for nation teams in Viersen and to the European Championships. Completing the podium at the Spanish championship were Carlos Crespo, Adrián Legazpi (Rubén’s brother) and young player Marcos Morales. ‘’We played an intense match in the final. I led against Crespo 14-8, then I fell slightly behind in the break. With a high run I then came close to 40, in the next inning I was able to finish it off with a 9-point lead. With two points, Crespo reached 40-33 in the equalizer. My semi-final against Adrián Legazpi had a difficult start with 16-7 behind, but I came to the break 30-18 ahead after I made 21 points in 3 innings: 4, 5 and 12. The final score: 40-31 in 22.
The new Spanish champion made a new start in life after playing four years in the PBA, the Korean professional league. Anguita reached a quarter-final there once, in which he lost to Frédéric Caudron.
’’I returned and I have nothing to complain about the PBA. The people there were very good to me, it felt like home with my best friends Zapata and Montes. But travelling a lot affected me mentally. I missed many things in Spain very much and results there were not arriving. That made it harder to stay. It feels horrible when you are improving your level but it doesn't give results. The pressure was so high, so unfortunately it didn't work for me.‘’
The life of the Spanish billiards player, living in Los Narejos with his girlfriend Anastasia, with whom he has a relation for almost eight years, is now much better in terms of happiness: long at home, close to family and friends. ‘’I also feel that this has made me play billiards better again. I no longer live like a billiard pro. I studied business management, and after the PBA period I started working full-time at an insurance office as a financial expert. I also help Juan Antonio Carrasco, the federation coach, at the training centre in Los Narejos, where the Spanish talents are trained.‘’
Carlos Anguita insists on thanking some people after his title. ‘’My friends, my coach and friend José and all the people who have supported me in good times, but especially in bad times. I feel lucky to have the people around me and grateful to have them in my life. One big part of my achievements are also for them. And I hope this title can be an inspiration to the youngsters we work with, as a proof that with hard work, determination, and patience, you can achieve your goals.’’
- Carlos Anguita 1,439
- Carlos Crespo 1,333
- Adrián Legazpi 1,425
- Marcos Morales 1,189
- Jose Maria Mas 1,397
- Juan Pereras 1,397
- Raul Cuenca 1,144
- Alfonso Legazpi 0.981.
Ruben Legazpi finished 10th after being eliminated by his brother Adrián in the eighth finals. Sergio Jimenez finished 12th.
The Spanish podium from right to left: Carlos Anguita, Carlos Crespo, Marcos Morales, Adrián Legazpi.