Yanguas: “You can feel it’s a different kind of tournament, we players experience it in a special way”

The atmosphere is getting more electric by the hour. And it couldn’t be otherwise, with just four days to go before the finals of the FIP World Cup Pairs — the dream event for every player at the Arena Kuwait. Mike Yanguas can sense that there’s something different in the air around the venue, where the most prestigious tournament of the year is taking place. “For me, it’s a particularly important tournament”, Yanguas explains. “Technically it’s like a Major, but for us players it means something more, because besides the ranking points, whoever wins becomes world champion. That makes it twice as special”.

The atmosphere can really be felt in every detail — there’s a positive tension, a new kind of energy. “You can tell it’s a different tournament, and that all the players are experiencing it in a special way”, says Yanguas. “Everyone is training with great intensity and motivation. We approach every competition with the same commitment, but this one has a charm of its own. I think we all have a special desire to win here”.

Having also played in the team World Championship, Yanguas reflects on how different the feelings are. “Of course that’s a group experience — you live everything together. Here, it’s just you and your partner, but it’s no less exciting. It’s the first time in many years that a World Championship is being played in pairs, and the fact that the winners become world champions makes it unique for all of us”.