By MARK REY MONTEJO
Hong Kong-based Filipino cue artist Robbie Capito overcame huge pressure and shocked Polish veteran Mieszko Fortunski,13-10, to rule the 2024 UK 9-Ball Open Pool Championship at the Telford International Centre in the United Kingdom over the weekend.
The 22-year-old Capito outlasted his older rival in their race-to-13 finals to claim his first-ever international title and make himself richer by $30,000 (roughly P1.7 million).
The title win is likely to establish Capito as one of the important players to watch in future big-time tournaments.
For one, the event has lured some of the finest players, including former world champions Carlo Biado and James Aranas.
Other top Filipino players who took part in the event were Jeffrey Ignacio, Jefrey Roda, Bernie Regalario and Anton Raga – all of them were eliminated in the round of 32.
Capito advanced to the finals after edging past Lithuanian Pijus Labutis, 11-9.
It was in the quarters where he made heads turn, though.
And who would not be.
In that round, he claimed the scalp of inaugural champion Joshua Filler of Germany, 10-9, in their hill-hill clash.
Capito, who honed his skills in the Philippines, also outlasted this year’s World Pool Masters title holder American Fedor Gorst, 10-8, and Cyprus’ Antonis Brabin in the last 16 and 32, respectively.
And in the last 64, he booted out his compatriot Lo Ho Sum, 10-4.
Capito shattered a 4-all count after winning three straight racks to seize a 7-4 lead that ballooned to 9-5.
Fortunski then showed off his veteran poise after trimming the gap to two, 10-8.
But that was his last hurrah back as Capito produced several fantastic shots much to the delight of his supporters but to the disappointment his foe.
