The American Junior Showdown delivered high drama as 18-year-old Lazaro Martinez of Texas fought his way to the title, showcasing resilience and composure on the big stage.
In the final showdown, Martinez bounced back after losing the first set (3-4, 4-2, 4-0) to defeat Niko Konkel 2-1 in sets, securing the champion’s prize of $5,000 USD.
Semifinal Highlights
🔥 Savannah Easton vs. Niko Konkel
- Easton dominated the first set, 4-2
- Konkel responded with a flawless second set, 4-0
- A tense third set saw both players miss crucial shots, but Konkel capitalized to take it 4-1 and book his spot in the final.
🔥 Lazaro Martinez vs. Payne McBride
- Martinez controlled the first set, 4-2
- A missed 6-ball to close the match allowed McBride to steal the second set.
- Martinez refocused and edged out the decider 4-3, punching his ticket to the final.
The level of play exceeded expectations, with all 12 juniors delivering outstanding performances and proving the future of american billiards is in great hands.
The tournament was a great opportunity for junior players to compete under the spotlight, with the following prize money up for grabs:
🏆 Champion – $5,000
🥈 Runner-up – $3,000
🥉 Semifinalists – $1,250 each
💰 5th-8th place – $750
💰 9th-12th place – $625
Additionally, all junior competitors received free entry into the Kamui Las Vegas Men’s Open, gaining valuable experience alongside elite professionals.
This event is part of Predator Group’s commitment to junior player development, complementing the World Junior Championships and providing young talents with elite-level competition. The American Junior Championship Invitational is a new initiative to give rising stars more opportunities to perform on the big stage.
What’s Next in Las Vegas
🔥 Tomorrow, February 24 – Bank Pool Showdown Begins
Twelve of the best bankers in the game will compete in a round-robin format, with the top 3 players from each group advancing to the knockout stage.
- Group winners go straight to the semifinals.
- Second and third-place finishers will battle in the quarterfinals.
🔥 Tomorrow, 2:30 PM – Parasport Exhibition
- Charlie Hans vs. Henrik Larsson
- A showcase of elite adaptive billiards talent.
🔥 Tomorrow, 8:30 PM – Challenge of Champions
A thrilling clash between reigning women’s world champions:
- 🎱 9-ball match: Rubilen Amit vs. Kristina Tkach
🔥 Tuesday, 5 PM – Las Vegas Men’s Open Quarterfinals
The field is down to the Last 8, with intense matchups set to unfold.
Fans can catch all the action live and free on Pro Billiard TV and at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
📅 Stay tuned for more updates as the 2025 Predator Pro Billiard Series continues!
