The story of new World Games champion Oliver Szolnoki could be straight out of a movie. In the group stage, the Hungarian was practically eliminated — if his opponent Jeffrey de Luna (Philippines) had sunk the decisive 10-ball to win 9–5, Szolnoki would have had to watch the rest of the tournament from the stands.
But de Luna missed, Szolnoki staged a brilliant comeback, and won 9–8 to reach the quarterfinals. Two more 9–8 victories put him in today’s final against Peru’s Gerson Martinez, who had himself staged a comeback from 3–7 down to beat Germany’s Joshua Filler in the semifinals.
In the final, Szolnoki repeatedly held the lead, but the score was level again at 7–7. Martinez then got out of position on the four ball and was forced to play a safety. Szolnoki won the ensuing safety battle to go ahead 8–7. In the 16th rack, with the break, the Hungarian ran the table to seal a 9–7 victory and with it, the celebrated World Games title.
Final Result:
Gerson Martinez vs. Oliver Szolnoki — 7:9