Spanish Open 2017
Jack Woolley secured yet another World Ranking Gold and a valuable ten ranking points last weekend in Alicante at the Spanish Open. Jack was seeded number one for the event leading to a bye in the preliminary rounds for the Tallaght 18 year old. Jack was to have an extended rest period when his first opponent from Spain withdrew due to injury. There were fireworks in the quarter final with undoubtedly Jacks toughest test of the day against Jose Ignacio from Madrid who came out fired up with acrobatics to upset Jack, the current World number 2. After an early tirade from the Spaniard jack overturned the superiority of the match finishing 32-25. Moving into the semi finals jack then faced another local Javier Vicente also from Madrid. This time a slower paced patient match saw jack victorious sending to his 3rd consecutive Spanish Open final winning 12-7. A tough test lay ahead for Woolley who needed to beat Columbia’s Duvan Avella to secure the top tier of the podium. Jacks coach reminded him that he was now at his last match of 4 consecutive weekends of fighting and instructed jack to unleash his legs. It was clear jack was not going to let the victory slip away when he efficiently picked off his opponent for two rounds, until the referee stopped the fight one round early due to the ’20 point gap rule’.Jack secured his long awaited gold in Spain. In 3 previous attendances he won bronze, and two silvers.