MANIZALES Daniel Morales has finally captured the champions title in Manizales after reaching the finals four times in his home country. After three previous defeats in local finals, Morales broke that sequence and was crowned champion of the Feria de Manizales. Morales defeated Luis Martinez in the final in a thrilling match that ended 3-2.
The story of lost finals began in 2015, when Huberney Cataño beat this year's winner for the first time. He then also grabbed the title against Morales in 2019. Luis Martinez beat Morales in the 2017 final.
The revenge against Luis Martinez, one of his tormentors, for the top prize of 20 million Colombian pesos took him to this year's victory.
The final day of competition began with the round of 16, where intense duels were fought, as in Arley Montoya's 3-1 victory over Cristian Castaño. Jose Juan Garcia came back after trailing 1-2 and defeated Andres Naranjo. Alexander Salazar beat Cristian Sanchez 3-1, Luis Martinez won against Cristian Tejada 3-0, Julian Torres eliminated the last foreigner in the competition, Guido Sacco, with a final score 3-2.
Daniel Morales then defeated Juan Cardenal, 11-15, 15-6, 15-9. Julian Morales eliminated Henry Diaz 3-2. Luis Martinez beat Montoya 3-2 in the quarterfinals, Julian Torres got the better of Salazar. Daniel Morales went past one of the other title contenders, Jose Juan Garcia, by 15-10, 15-8, 14-15 and 15-8. Julian Morales beat Yon Fredy Martinez by 12-15, 15-9, 15-3, 10-15 and 15-12.
Daniel Morales showed his class all the way by beating high-level opponents throughout the tournament. He lost only to Steven Uribe in the qualifiers and eventually clinched the coveted title. With an excellent performance and a final average of 1.390, Morales became the final winner, closely followed by Luis Martinez.
The competition was fierce with the participation of 400 players over six days in Manizales, once again demonstrating the exceptional level of billiards in Latin America.
Final standings (average, price in Colombian pesos:
- Daniel Morales 1,390 - $20,000,000
- Luis Martinez 1,303 - $10,00,000
- Julián Torres 1,246 - $4,000,000.0000
- Julián Morales 1,019 - $4,000,000,000
- Yon F Martinez 1,333 - $1,500,000
- Arley Montoya 1,235 - $ 1,500,000
- Alexander Salazar 1,146 - $ 1,500,000
- José Juan García 1,128 - $1,500,000
- Henry Diaz 1,633 - $1,000,000
- Andrés Naranjo 1,091 - $1,000,000
- Guido Sacco (Peru) 1,000 - $1,000,000.
- Juan Cardenal 1,247 - $ 1,000,000
- Cristian Sánchez 1,088 - $ 1,000,000
- Cristian Castaño 1,084 - $ 1,000,000
- Cristian Tejada 1,071 - $ 1,000,000
- Jair Morales 1,071 - $1,000,000.
Dani Morales with the trophy