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[이데일리 스타in 이석무 기자] “Thinking about my wife and the child in my stomach made me more desperate.”
‘The Spanish Warrior’ Javier Palazon (33, Spain) has risen as the new champion of the professional billiard PBA.
Palazone won Kang Min-gu (38, Shinhan Financial Group) in the PBA final of the’Crown Hae-Tae PBA Championship’ held at Mayfield Hotel, Gangseo-gu, Seoul on the 23rd with a set score of 4-0 (15-6 15-10 15-11 15-9). ) And won the first PBA tour of his life. I also got a prize of 100 million won.
Palazone, who has won the Junior World Cup three times in the past, has not received any attention until recently after advancing to the PBA. Last season, I have never passed a survival match except for having been ranked third in the’Shinhan Financial Investment PBA Championship’. There were even a number of enemies who were eliminated in the first round of the 128th round.
This competition was completely different. After passing the top of the 128 and 64 survival matches, which were the biggest hurdles, the Palazone achieved a’perfect victory’ without giving a single set from the 32nd round to the final. Since the inauguration of the PBA, the Palazon was the first to win a free set.
Palazone said, “Before this tournament, I only entered the set system once, but my performance was not good. But this time, thanks to my hard work, I was able to play a perfect match.”
After giving birth to their first son in 2019, Palazon is now pregnant with a second child. As families grew, the sense of responsibility grew in proportion. Thanks to this, it is said that the concentration has been further upgraded.
Palazone said, “After becoming a professional player after the PBA was launched, the preparation time has been longer than before and I feel like I have a professional attitude.” “I want to share the joy with my wife who helped me to concentrate on the life of a professional billiard player.” He expressed his feelings.
The following is an interview with Palazone’s championship.
-Winning impression.
△ I still can’t believe it. Until this tournament, the performance was not good. The PBA players’ skills are so high I think this win is a great result.
-What made you show a completely different performance in this tournament?
△ There is no other reason. It seems to be the result of just practicing hard. When my wife was pregnant with her second, there was a part where she could not concentrate only on preparing for the competition. But still, thanks to hard practice, I was able to play a perfect match.
-I am not currently participating in the PBA team league, but are you greedy for participating in the team league?
△Of course, I want to participate in the PBA team league. The best players are participating in the team league. To improve your skills, you have to keep competing against the best players. I definitely want to participate next season.
-Last season, it showed weakness in the survival game method. What did you do to adapt to the survival method?
△I was confident because I could run a one-on-one game. You can choose whether to focus on attacking or defending. However, it was difficult to adapt because survival is a new game format. In particular, it was difficult to wait for my turn because there are 4 players in the game. Now, as I practiced steadily, I got used to it a lot.
-Do you have a nickname or nickname that calls you in Spain?
△ In Spain, there was no special nickname. In Spain, billiards is not as popular as Korea, and it has not received much attention. I can’t win every game, but I’m still a hard fight player. That’s why I want to be called the nickname’Spanish Warrior’.
-How does it feel to be active as a professional billiard player in Korea?
△ It is completely different. Billiards is a popular sport in Korea. Some people recognize me at airports and restaurants. I am very happy and I am living comfortably in Korea.
-How did you start playing billiards? I won the junior world championship three times, but how could I do well when I was younger?
△Because my father originally played billiards, I started playing it naturally. After going to a billiard club, I started playing a player because my billiards got better. My junior days were nothing different from now. I was able to win because I was just in good shape. It seems that the attitude to fight hard was important.
-If there is a person who influenced you in your billiard life.
△ At first, I was most influenced by my father. After that, I learned a lot from a billiard teacher from Mexico. In particular, my wife influenced me a lot. Before becoming a professional player, I had a job other than a billiard player, but I helped my wife a lot so she could concentrate on billiards. I became a father last year, and I am expecting another child this year. Because of my family’s thoughts, I played more earnestly.
-If there is a player who stimulates you.
△ It is greatly influenced by the players who practice together. There are Glenn Hoffman, Eddie Refens, and Virol Wimarz who are active in the PBA. It is important to practice against good players. I’m always motivated by these players
-This is my first victory. What are your goals or plans in the future?
△ It is difficult to say how much more champions you can become. Billiards can be dropped in the first round of the next tournament immediately after winning. You will have a break for 3-4 days right away. Afterwards, I will work hard to prepare for the next competition.