Odessa teen heads to New Zealand for World Junior Championships

ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – Robert Orta is a local teen headed to New Zealand in September to represent the United States at the 2024 Predator World Pool Association World Junior Championships.

Orta was introduced to the game at a young age, thanks to a tabletop gift that he received from his father at three. He said that once he was seven and able to reach the top of the table, he fell in love with the game.

For Orta, he said being able to represent West Texas is a great moment, explaining he feels like he’s going to be the one to put West Texas on the map.

“I think his ceiling is all the way to the top,” said Coach Eric Aicinena. “He has a lot of talent, he puts in a lot of work, and I think his greatest strength that he has is that he performs well under pressure.”

A fundraiser will be held on August 3rd at Pocket 10 in Odessa with all the proceeds going directly to Robert and his trip to New Zealand.

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