Bodog.com
Foosball Player Wins Medal
Costa Rica native and
Bodog-sponsored Carlos Cespedes Martinez cemented
his place as one of the globe's top table soccer
players earlier this month by capturing a silver
medal at the 2005 World Foosball Championships
near Dallas.
Martinez, 38, also
claimed third place in Mixed Doubles with teammate
Tommie Bagley of Colorado.
"Foosball is a sport about demonstrating
and not talking, and people or friends who watch
you play will be in charge of letting the others
know your ability," said Martinez, who
has five children – three daughters, two
sons; all involved in foosball.
Sponsored by Bodog at this prestigious event
held at the Hyatt Regency DFW, Martinez played
in Mixed Doubles, Semi-Pro, Open Doubles and
DYP (Draw Your Partner). In the Semi-Pro men's
gold-medal match on Sept. 5, he lost to Colorado's
Stephen Steighner.
Martinez said he felt he had the championship
in his hands, but when the stress, pressure
and other conditions of the competition began
to eat at him, he lost some confidence. As a
result, many of his shots suffered.
Still, Martinez said the overall experience
was extremely thrilling and that he was happy
he gave it his best effort.
In the Mixed Doubles semifinals, Martinez and
Bagley, who met at last year's world championships,
relinquished a three-goal lead and were relegated
to the bronze-medal match. They regrouped to
wín third place in the co-ed competition,
and a tidy cash prize.
"We are excited to be backing Carlos.
For most of us, foosball is a fun pastime but
when you see it played at its highest level
– as Carlos plays it – you gain
a higher appreciation for the game," Bodog
Founder & CEO Calvin Ayre said. "Now
that I'm living in Costa Rica, I can see first-hand
how excited people are for Carlos, who took
on the best in the world and beat all but one.
He's a true local hero."
Martinez, the winner of a 2003 World Championship
of Foosball division title, took up foosball
in a little neighborhood store in his hometown
of Heredia when he was 13. After playing every
day for four years, he became highly adept at
the table game. He started playing in tournaments
10 years ago and now is the second-best Semi-Pro
foosball player in the world.
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