ALLICANTE - These are the days between two stunning performances and victories over Dick Jaspers and Eddy Merckx and this week’s departure for the World Cup in Sharm El Sheikh for 45-year-old Spanish Colombian Robinson Morales. The top form in the competitions raises expectations for the next international appearance with the world's top players in one of Egypt's tourist resorts. Robinson Morales, living in Allicante, now and then travelling up and down to his native place Manizales in Colombia, lives like a world traveler: a billiard profesional visiting many countries to shine in his beloved sport.
Robinson Morales did it last week in France with a win over Dick Jaspers and last weekend in the Netherlands with a win over Eddy Merckx. These results are no exceptions, because Robinson Morales is often at his best against world stars. Still, the Colombian star player, who enjoyed a short-lived adventure in the Korean professional league PBA, is too far in the shadows of players he has beaten in competitions since his return, but he still is the world number 38.
Robinson Morales, married and father of a 16-year-old daughter, achieved his main successes in billiards by winning a team championship in the PBA (made the winning carom himself). He became Colombia's three-cushion and 9-ball champion, the only player to achieve that. With his teams in Spain and France, he became champion in these countries. And twice he became Pan American team champion.
Kozoom had an interview with the globetrotter shortly before the World Cup in Sharm El Sheikh about his life in billiards, the many trips to far-away countries he makes and his ambitions. ’’I am super grateful that I can live a wonderful life as a professional player.'' Robinson Morales, a billiard professional in two worlds.
Kozoom/Frits Bakker: What a great feeling that must be, Robinson Morales: to beat both Dick Jaspers and Eddy Merckx, two world stars, in one week at the end of this year. That must give a lot of confidence for the years to come.
Robinson Morales: I am obviously very happy that I was able to beat Dick Jaspers for the fifth time in my career and Eddy Merckx for the second time. That’s very important for me because historically they are among the best billiards players in the world in three-cushion.
Kozoom/FB: What is the reason for your strong performances in this last period of the year? Very good form at the moment, despite travelling a lot to all the matches, tournaments and competitions?
Robinson: The main reason, I think, is that I have changed a lot on a sporting level. I never give up, even if I am far behind on the scoreboard. And I also take good care of myself in my sports career. It is not easy to travel so much and get good results. It is a long-distance race, I know I have the qualities to get better in the world rankings. It's all about patience and consistency and at team level, I can say I enjoy my competitions a lot. Remember, I have already been team champion in Korea, France and Spain.
Kozoom/FB: You show your best form when you play in the leagues. In how many leagues in different countries do you play? And of course, you also shine in the World Cups every now and then, but still no top ranking. Can you explain why?
Robinson: I play in Spain, France, the Netherlands and Germany, the 4 teams are managed by incredibly good people and consist of very strong players. This season is not over as far as other tournaments are concerned, such as World Cups. The road is long, so a lot can still happen in terms of successes.
Kozoom/FB: How do you see your billiard life at the moment after the end of the PBA adventure?
Robinson: My billiard life has improved a lot. I have been lucky enough to compete with the best in the world. That gives you a plus in every respect.
Kozoom/FB: Do you still look back on the PBA with a bad feeling, or was everything handled well?
Robinson: I have never looked back on the PBA with bad feelings. It was a new experience in my life and you always have to take the positive out of things.
Kozoom/FB: How do you see the difference between playing for UMB and playing for PBA? Why is adjusting so difficult for some of the world stars leaving for the PBA?
Robinson: Playing in the PBA and in the UMB is obviously different in every way. But most of all, because in the PBA you play to sets of 15 and the bank shot counts double. In the UMB, you play to longer stretches. I have been able to play on both sides. My preference is to play longer distance.
Kozoom/FB: Do you have any idea why the young Spaniards in the PBA are doing so well with Javier Palazón, Juan David Zapata and David Martinez as exponents?
Robinson: The Spaniards have a very good education and school, that's why the young players are so strong. They can compete with the best from an early age. That's one reason they develop so quickly and get better.~
Kozoom/FB: Dani Sánchez, to give an example, lost to Zapata in the PBA this week. Previously in World Cups or in the Spanish championship, it never happened that Sánchez, as the best Spanish billiard player of all time, could not win against those young players. Any idea why?
Robinson: I am sure Dani will win not one, but more tournaments there. He lost to Zapata, Martínez, because form is unpredictable in this sport. He will definitely win PBA tournaments, give him time. Korea is a different country, billiards is crazy there and UMB players will eventually adapt. We are talking about the best players in the world!
Robinson Morales, great performances in the run-up to the World Cup in Sharm El Sheikh
Morales, traveling between two worlds: Allicante in Spain and Manizales in Colombia
Kozoom/FB: What does your life as a billiard professional look like now, Robinson? You live in Spain, in which place? Do you live alone, on a flat? Do you go to Colombia often every year? Do you have a lot of family living there, do you have many friends there? For example, do you have a father, mother, siblings you visit from time to time?
Robinson: My life at the moment is of a great quality thanks to billiards. I have to travel a lot, but I love that. I live in Alicante, Spain with my wife and 16-year-old daughter. I have a mother and three elder brothers in Manizales, Colombia. My father died many years ago when I was just 4 years old. So then we are talking about 41 years ago. Both in Spain and Colombia, I have many friends. I enjoy living in Europe and especially Spain. The food and good live, I love to live!
Kozoom/FB: How many matches do you play per month? How many flights do you make a month to go anywhere to play?
Robinson: The schedule is well filled. Every month I can play many matches, sometimes the European competitions coincide and I have to play in France, Spain, the Netherlands or Germany. As a result, I make a lot of flights and many hours by car or train.
Kozoom/FB: Do you like life as a globe trotter? And do you feel more Spanish than Colombian now that you have settled there with your family?
Robinson: The life of a globe trotter, as you say, does fascinate me. I am also privileged. I'm doing what I love, playing billiards as a professional player. And about Colombian or Spanish feelings? The answer is very simple. I was born in Colombia. I love my country and, of course, I also love Spain. It is my country of adoption, my daughter was born there and both my wife, who is Colombian, and I myself have Spanish passports. So in one country I was born and in another I would like to die, it's as simple as that.
Robinson Morales in one of recent World Cups
Robinson Morales, wins against Jaspers and Merckx in competitions last week
Kozoom/FB: You were able to find out what it's like there. Is there any chance you might return to the PBA one day?
Robinson: If there is a possibility of returning to the PBA then there could be. It doesn't depend on me but on a good offer and of course on whether they want me to be able to play in Korea again. I am very honest. I would think about it very carefully because it is not easy to live in Korea.
Kozoom/FB: The next tournament is the World Cup in Sharm El Sheikh. You are 38th in the world rankings, far behind players you have beaten these weeks. In this form, how close is Robinson Morales to a real breakthrough on the world stage?
Robinson: I’m going to try very hard in this last World Cup to improve my position. And of course I want to continue that in the World Cups next year. I realize very well that I have to keep fighting and stay disciplined in all aspects! With that, I want to eventually move further up the rankings
Thank you, Robinson, and good luck in the coming week in the World Cup in Sharm El Sheikh.
Thank you very much for the interview, Kozoom and you.
Robinson Morales winning the team competition in Korea
