A young woman pool player from Venezuela is taking Los Angeles, California by storm! Carlynn Andrea Sanchez Torrealba breezed through the 2011 Hotshot’s Women 9-Ball Open Tournament January 16. The $300 added tournament was hosted by my two loyal friends, David “Dak” Khotsady and Bob Lauric. Hotshot Cafe and Billiard would like to thank all the ladies who came and showed their support to make this thing happen.. They are: Two time SoCal Ladies Champion Stacy Novak, Melissa Morris, Lauren Ward, Lori Jones, Lori B., Barbara Lee, Tammi, Mary Avina, Jenny Lee and Melissa Herndon.
Sanchez captured the A side, scoring wins over Barbara “Barracuda” Lee, Tammi, Jenny Lee and Melissa Herndon going into the hot seat
Sanchez captured the A side, scoring wins over Barbara “Barracuda” Lee, Tammi, Jenny Lee and Melissa Herndon going into the hot seat. On the west side of the board, Jenny eliminated Lauren Ward and had to face her good friend Melissa H. to determine who will advance to the finals against the sweet shooting Venezuelan girl. Jenny outlasted Melissa to face Carlynn in a single race to 7 finals. Lee started strong and took the first game, Sanchez even up the score at 1-1 then took the lead 3 1. Jenny showed her experience against the newcomer Carlynn, won 3 racks in a row and up 4-3. It was a seesaw battle after that.. Lee got to the hill first and had a chance to wrap up the match in the 12th game when she missed the 8-Ball in the corner pocket and gave the Venezuelan another chance to take the title with the final score 7-6.
Let’s take a look on the eventual champion’s background, she is Carlynn Andrea Sanchez Torrealba, 24 yrs. old from Barquisimito, Venezuela, a 3 hour drive (45 minutes by air) westbound from the nation’s capital of Caracas..I have visited her place a few years ago to visit some friends in Puerto Cabello and Valencia. I stayed at the 5-story Hotel Lidotel close to Sambil Shopping Plaza along Avenida A. Bracamonte.
Barquisimeto is a small but booming city west of Valencia.. She’s been to international competitions, the last one was in Taiwan last year for the Womens World 10 Ball Championships where she got a chance to play one of her idol Jeanette Lee. Sho played her best against the “Black Widow”, went hill-hill but she ran out of gas and lose the match to her more experienced and popular opponent.. But for Carlynn, playing against “The Black Widow” win or lose is alredy a big achievement in her young career as a pool player. She is currently taking some pool lessons from Snr. Ismael “Morro” Paez, a living legend in pool and a former World Champion himself.
Carlynn Sanchez is going back to her beloved country on the 29th of this month but she promised us to come back soon.. We will miss u “Champ”!! Me and Mary wishes you all the best and have a nice trip. God Bless.