Hong Kong’s Robbie Capito learns valuable lesson about success, after crashing out of Las Vegas Open in early rounds
- Capito struggled at first major tournament, eventually crashing out 4-1, 4-1 to Peru’s Gerson Martinez Boza
- The Hong Kong pool player says lost focus after securing sponsorship deal and playing exhibition matches
Hong Kong’s Robbie Capito “learned a lesson” after his early exit from the Las Vegas Open, but is determined to put on an improved showing at the WPA World 10-Ball Championship, which starts on Monday.
Capito crashed out of the prestigious tournament after heavy back-to-back losses, and said he may have distracted by a new sponsorship deal with the Japan-based Kamui Brand, and a series of exhibition matches he played before the tournament started.
Wearing a shirt with his new sponsor’s logo, Capito had an opening round bye at his maiden Las Vegas Open, he then beat Daniel Sardoncillo 4-1, 4-3 before losing 4-2, 4-3 to the reigning World 10-Ball Champion Eklent Kaci from Albania.
Defeat sent him to the win-or-go-home losers’ half of the draw on Friday, where he lost 4-1, 4-1 to Peru’s Gerson Martinez Boza.
“Maybe lots of things going on before the tournament made me lose focus,” he said. “I don’t know what exactly happened, new sponsor, exhibition matches before the competition, just my mind did not feel right.
“But that is over, I will take a day off, take my mind off from what’s going on, try to regroup, then back to work.”
Capito flew to Florida early last month to launch his professional career and made three podium finishes this month, including finishing first in LA last week, second in Louisiana, and third in Oklahoma Winter Classic, which earned him a new sponsorship.