FORGET MONEY, it’s time to show Jack Francis the respect.
The six-time national Go-As-You-Please (GAYP) draughts champ is no longer settling for anything but trophies this year. And he is confident that this renewed focus will begin with a championship-winning performance at the upcoming US National GAYP Tournament.
“You can put Jack down to win the US National,” Francis proclaimed in a recent interview with SUNSPORT.
“I am badly in need of winning the US National because right now I am not interested in second or third. [So] if there is a good time to bet on me it will be now.”
A fifth-place finisher at the last US National GAYP event two years ago, Francis performed credibly after showing his resolve by dropping just one game in the entire tournament.
But a spate of draws prevented the world-rated veteran from challenging for the title as he struggled to pick up points to challenge the early leaders.
“The scores of draws are what subdued my points and I really needed those extra wins to sustain my drive,” said Francis of his 2009 performance.
“But those draws now will definitely be converted to wins. I have the ability to do it and I think it is about time that I win the US National.”
A consistent top finisher at major events, Francis hasn’t converted many of those encouraging runs into a title-winning performance since last taking the Florida Open.
And it has been his head-to-head matchups against the world’s top two that have consistently let down Francis, most notably the record with local rival Ronald “Suki” King.
“I will definitely peak at the right time, which is July, [because] this is the title that eludes me right now,” asserted the ever-confident Francis.
“Suki or no Suki, I am definitely going to win.”
At his last North America-based tournament, Francis placed seventh at the US National Three-Move Restriction Tournament despite winning a tournament-high 11 games.
However, Francis finished behind “Suki” yet again, after the world GAYP champ beat him in the competition’s second round.
This year’s US National GAYP Tournament is slated for July in Medina, Ohio.
