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Pedro Otero's blog |
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| 11 years |
| 6/1/2012 2:16:13 AM |
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I remember my last national; i lost against Will Upchurch 0-3 on saturday, finishing 6-1 in the swiss round (i remember i beated Mark R. and Andy Y.) On sunday, i played the first round against Ehab; i went down 0-3 so quickly; i was able to tie 3-3 only to lost in the seventh game. Once again, i were in the loser bracket soon, like in 1999 and 2000. There, i beated Albert Ortiz (4-1), Brian A. (4-3) and Andy Yevish again (4-1); then i faced Jose M. I went up 3-2 games and 6-5 in the sixth game, but i was unable to beat my nemesis. Even when i lost 3 finals in a row against Jose, i still believe that this was the tournament i were closer to win. I did not play the 5-6 spinoff with Billy (i remember he were injured on her hand) so my last national finished in a (not bad after all) 5th place.
After that, just played airhockey "seriously" 2 times in more than 10 years (I moved to Spain 3 months before the 2001 nationals); in november 2003, i played the Spanish tournament, and in 2007 i played a challenge match against Pedro Ramirez. I didnt play against a master level player in all this time. Then, last september, i returned to Caracas due to familiar issues.
There are no airhockey league or regular competitions now in Caracas. Just some old players still plays sometimes. First time i played again, they literally destroyed me. I felt like a beginneer. Of course, i remember how i should play, but my hand and my arm did not follow my brain. Was difficult, but even the first day i knew that my game just need practice.
The offense returns quickly; in less than one month i recovered all my shots. Even when i do not was the faster player, i improved it playing a lot of challenges matches the first months, and now i can say that i can play interceptions like in 2001. The deffense was something slower, everyday improving a little, becomes stronger and stronger. 8 months after my return I believe im very close to my best level ever.
Now, i see the rankings and what i found? Nothing changes in 11 years. No new players: im younger than the current top 10, and top 5 started playing before me. Danny Hynnes won 9 Nationals more(9!), Jose, Wil, Andy and Tim are (semi)retired (the strongest players 11 years ago); and looking the streaming of the Las Vegas Nationals, i feel that there are nothing to fear: i feel i can beat anybody in the table. If Billy won with dedication 17 years after his firts title, me too. Thanks Billy! You give me the last point i needed.
I want test the 10-time Champion Danny; i want revenge againt Ehab; i want play the current champion Billy. Are you all better than 11 years ago? I hope so; EAGLE is back, and you guys dont have good remembers from me.
I love airhockey. |
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