BOGÓTA - The Vietnamese with world champion Phuong Vinh Bao have arrived and are having a great time in the Colombian capital Bogóta. Belgian Eddy Merckx has been roaming the Mexican capital for a whole week giving exhibitions. Therese Klompenhouwer, best lady in the UMB circuit, starts the World Cup today and Mashhour Abu Tayeh, the popular Jordanian, unfortunately had to cancel on Monday due to problems with his visa in his home land. Has Ramon Rodriguez been spotted yet? What a pleasant surprise to see the Peruvian player again in a World Cup, who was on the podium of a World three cushion championship in Randers in 2002 and in Cuenca in 2007, two times together with Dick Jaspers. Mexican Alain Hernandez and Colombian Henry Diaz launched the World Cup superbly with averages of 1,500 and promising German brothers Amir and Ali Ibraimov unfortunately were eliminated on the opening day.
The World Cup at the colossal playing venue in Bogotá is one day underway. The last Sunday was fairly quiet for the first-arriving players in the modern, still growing capital, politically, financially and culturally Colombia's most important center . On Monday, on the first day of play, the crowds in the city itself with some 8 to 9 million inhabitants really broke free.
The Dutch, the Vietnamese, the Turks quietly oriented themselves and already found their way to the playing venue. Therese Klompenhouwer, who travelled with her wife Eveline on Sunday, has already done some initial TV interviews before starting the actual mission today (Tuesday). Sylvia Eckel, another Dutch lady, is a real figurehead in the World Cups, not winning many matches, but has lost count of the number of participations. ’’For sure there are already more than 70,'' she reckoned on Sunday after arriving.
Thirteen Colombians were among the 16 group winners on Monday, 1 Mexican (No 1 Alain Hernandez), 1 Ecuadorian (Luis Aveiga) and 1 Frenchman (Gregory Le Deventec). Amir Ibraimov, the 16-year-old German top talent, who just last week won a major international junior tournament, including ahead of Burak Hashas, remarkably did not make it through the first shuffle. He lost his match to Colombian Julian Torres 30-27 in 26.
Four Dutchmen, including Karina Jetten, finished in the final group of 16, all four without match points. Dutch Jetty and Pauline Beersma also did not survive that first round and may continue to enjoy Colombian culture. Ronald van Geyt is already out, but may at least support girlfriend Sylvia Eckel on Tuesday.
Ramon Rodriguez, the musical virtuoso from Peru, is the most famous player to enter the World Cup on Tuesday in a group with a Turk and a Colombian. Therese Klompenhouwer, the other world top player, is vying for a place in the next round with Frenchman Patrice Pinard and Colombian Cesar Garzon, who was number three on Monday's winner's list. Another notable group is that with Sergio Jimenez, Gregory Le Deventec and Raymon Groot. Tom Löwe will play with Jordy de Kruijf, among others.
Monday's 16 group winners:
- Alain Hernandez 4-1,538-5
- Henry Diaz 4-1,500-8
- Cesar Garzon 4-1,395-7
- Jhon Fredy Martinez 4-1,176-7
- Alexander Munoz 4-1,176-5
- Julian Torres 4-1,176-5
- Luis Aveiga 4-1,153-7
- Sergio Hernandez 4-1,153-6
- Daniel Moreno 4-1,132-7
- Julian Morales 4-1,111-6
- Pablo Ocampo 4-1,016-6
- Gregory Le Deventec 4-0,983-6
- Andres Lizarazo 4-0.937-4
- Andres Naranjo 4-0.789-5
- Saltiago Martinez 4-0.625-5
- Diego Lopez 3-1.034-7
Ramón Rodriguez, long time no see in World Cups
Top Vietnamese players already arrived with the world champion Phuong Vinh Bao and Quyet Chien Tran
The Tuesday groups for the World Cup