“I am the selection of my country”, meeting the new pelota nations

Thirty six. This is the total number of nations represented in the Basque Pelota World Cup
whose the 19th edition
stands at Biarritz, Bayonne, Bidart and Hasparren since this Sunday, October 23. The great novelty
this year is the arrival of frontball
in the world championships. A discipline played almost everywhere around the globe with many variationsand which brings with it athletes from five continents
. More than 20 additional nations are thus in competition, most of them in Bidart in Kirolak, to compete in frontball therefore, but also to enjoy the trip. Meet these improbable selections.

“It’s the second frontball game of my life”

This Monday at the Kirolak room in Bidart, Frenchman Michaël Massonde made short work of
by Briton Daniel Grant. Final score, 10-0, 10-4, Daniel couldn’t do anything, he who at half-time said to his compatriot who had come to support him, with a big smile, that he still wanted to try to score a point. Bet held, against the bronze medal of the last world championships of the discipline in Mexico in 2017. “It’s the hardest game I’ve played in my lifesays the Briton, red from having run after the ball for twenty minutes. At the same time, it is also the second part of my whole life, the first being that of yesterday!”

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It must be said that like Daniel, most athletes have never played frontball in their lives. Instead, they play variants, wallball or handball“but the terrain is a bit different, for example there is no line in the middle Explain Sandy Ng, who plays for China. Even though I’m not sure China knows I’m playing for them, I don’t even think so. Anyway, I live in the United States, I was born there, I play for China because my parents immigrated.“For all these athletes, apart from the jerseys, provided by the federation, they are the ones who bought their own outfits.

“I am the only athlete of my selection”

Facing Sandy, Jasmina Djukanovic, Bosnian athlete. Both women go to the third set, won 5-4 for Sandy. “I gave it my all, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough.“On her own, she represents the entire Bosnia and Herzegovina team.”In theory, there should have been two of us with my sister, but she couldn’t free herself because of work. So, I am the selection of Bosnia and Herzegovina, even if I fled the country at the age of seven, because of the war. I now live in New York, where I am general manager of a French restaurant.”

Daisuke Kitahara and Satoru Isogai traveled from Japan. “But I have already lost, the competition is over for me” Satoru laughs. “I started frontball two months ago says Daisuke. To train, we have a wall, next to Mount Fuji.“Both men are members of the Japan Wall-Handball Federation.”I am 41 years old explains Daisuke. It’s true that the other players are faster than me, but I have the experience, and more strength.”

Unanimously, all the athletes of these nations come above all to enjoy the competition to “play international matches against champions.“With the objective of going as far as possible, but not only.”We arrived before the competition to visit a little, we went to San Sebastian, and we will stay a few more days to visit” reveals Satoru. Jasmina will stay until Saturday, October 28 before returning to New York.