Colorado Springs, CO, 2/9/25
John Chapman rode the momentum from nearly upsetting R48 #1 Martin Mulkerrins at the Race 4 Eight Red on the first weekend in February by winning the Behemoth in a field that included the Gutierrez brothers and Alex Ibarra in Colorado Springs.
Chapman handed Colorado’s Alex Ibarra a one-sided, two-game loss in the upper bracket semifinals, while current 19-and-under national 4-Wall champion Eli Gutierrez ousted his older brother and coach Jon in two close games in the bottom bracket semifinals.
Chapman grabbed a one-game lead in the final, playing his steady brand of handball and capitalizing on his opportunities. Eli dominated game two, using his power and speed to nullify Chapman’s strengths. Chapman regrouped after falling behind in the tiebreaker, making the clutch shots to win the Behemoth.
“The final was tough,” Chapman would later say. “I pretty much controlled the first game but started playing too defensive and he gained all the momentum and caught fire in the second game and I was just fighting to get the ball back each rally. Eli carried the momentum into the tiebreaker, leading 7-3. I started getting more aggressive and just dug deep and found a way to win. He puts a lot of pressure on you with his aggressive style.”
“Close match and Eli played wonderfully,” stated proud brother and coach Jon Gutierrez about his bother’s performance in the final.”
Semifinals
Chapman def Al. Ibarra 21-6, 21-4
Gutierrez def J. Gutierrez 21-17, 21-20
Final: Chapman def E. Gutierrez 21-14, 4-21, 11-7
Chapman and the Gutierrez brothers will next be in action at the Race 4 Eight Juarez, starting on February 29.
Thank you to tournament director Brent Cottrell for organizing and running an outstanding forty-player event in Colorado Springs.
Photos courtesy of John Chapman
2024/25 Race 4 Eight Schedule and Entries HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer