Last Friday 4 professional jai-alai players: Egiguren II, Foronda, J. Arriaga, Hernandez (Jai-Alive) and 2 amateurs: Zulaika and Garate (Basque Selection) travelled to Mexico city to participate in the Lorenzo Berho Tournament.
According to jai-alive.com last saturday night at Elorduy's fronton, in a full house of a 700 people audience, Egiguren II and the Mexican amateur Valdes III beated 35-22 to Zulaika and Hernandez. In another partido Valdes II and Arriaga defeated Foronda and Garate, 35-20. Yesterday, Egi and Valdes III defeated Valdes II and Arriaga, 35-22. Tonight Foronda and 19 year old Garate(amateur) will play against 18 years old Zulaika (amateur) and Hernandez. I'll keep you informed...
I think that it is a great idea to organize such tournaments in unusual places. Although there's a great jai-alai tradition in Mexico city we haven't seen lately this type of championships over there. I hope that it is a new beginning. In my opinion it's a good idea to include top amateur players mixing them with the pros. Is this type of worldwide tournaments what jai-alai needs? Can you imagine a worlwide circuit like in tennis, all the top players playing in different places? Miami, Orlando, Mexico, Barcelona, the Basque...
As you know, this is the second year of this exhibition/tournament. Last year it was the Master Jai players....Rekalde, Goicho et all that appeared. Both Rekalde and Goicho came away hurt, some say from the outdoor court conditions. I have played on this court and cant imagine these stars throwing bullets here.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a world wide jai alai circuit. Connect them and let players gather points, just like in tennis with all the ATP tournaments. I think it will give a new dimension to jai alai that will make it more interesting to follow for people who live in places where jai alai is not a big sport. It's easier to understand and access the sport that way.
ReplyDeleteIt is a good idea, but I would prepare a package including paleta cuero, there are several great players around the world and this would produce as result an international competition, and in this way more countries would be interested in hosting this type of event: local players defending their countries would be atractive for fans
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