BOGOTA – Two big names were at the kick-off on the first day in the World Cup in Bogota, but Merlin Romero fired off the best start. The Venezuelan player won his two matches on the first day with 1.538 on average, with matches of 30 in 16 and 23 innings. Colombian Alexander Salazar and Ecuadorian Luis Aveiga faced each other for a spot in the next round. Salazar won 30-16 in 21 innings and qualified with 1.428 on average over two matches. Alexander Salazar is the only Colombian to ever stand on the podium at a World Championship: he finished third at the World Championship in Antwerp following Caudron, Kasidokostas, and together with Jaspers.
The Colombians, who are among the leading countries in the field of three-cushion billiards, do not have a rich history of podium finishes in World Cups and World Championships. In the long history of the World Cups, Robinson Morales was the only Colombian to stand on the podium. That was in 2024 in Bogota, where Quyet Chien Tran was the winner, Sameh Sidhom took silver, and Robinson Morales shared third place with Glenn Hofman.
In their home country, many Colombians are once again on the starting list this week, with Huberney Cataño and Jose Juan Garcia being the most well-known players. These two players received a wildcard and are starting in the main tournament. Other players of considerable fame include Pedro Gonzalez, Daniel Morales, and Henry Diaz.
On the second day, a few more players are in action today, Tuesday. Alexander Salazar is playing in a group with Quoc Thuan Pham from Vietnam and Ahmet Koseoglu from Turkey. In this round, Henry Diaz faces Samir Derradji and Jimmy Hilaire, both from France.
The winner of the first day of play, Merlin Romero, will face Mexican Luis Sobreyra and German Aygun Cin. Other well-known players in the arena on Tuesday include Andres Lizarazo, Sonar Tas, Javier Vera, Raymon Groot, Erick Tellez, Denizcan Akkoca, and Carlos Crespo.
The first well-known Europeans enter the field on Wednesday. That day is the start for Pierre Soumagne, Sam van Etten, Gwendal Maréchal, Mikaël Devogelaere, Wan Young Choi, Tom Löwe, Gerhard Kostistansky, and Volkan Cetin, among others.
The first matches on Tuesday are at 11:00 AM, 7:00 PM Western European Time.
Alexander Salazar, the first ever Colombian at a World Championship podium