Rubén Beloki Irribarren is a Basque pelota defensive player, often considered one of the best in the history of the sport. He was born in Burlada on 8 August 1974.[1] His brother Alberto Beloki is also a professional pelotari known as Beloki II.
| Beloki I | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Rubén Beloki Iribarren |
| Born | 8 August 1974 Burlada, Navarra |
| Country | Spain |
| Province | Navarra |
| Height | 1.86 m |
| Weight | 89 kg |
| Debut date | 21 August 1992 |
| Debut fronton | Anoeta (San Sebastián) |
| Categories | Hand-pelota |
| Management | Asegarce |
| Singles | |
| 1st Hand-Pelota singles championship | 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001 |
| 2nd Hand-Pelota singles championship | 1993 |
| Doubles | |
| 1st Hand-Pelota doubles championship | 1995, 1996, 2003 |
| Olympics | |
| Singles |  1992 (demonstration) |
Professional career edit
Beloki won The Championship of Spain in 1991 and 1992, and a golden medal on 1992 Summer Olympics demonstration, four Hand-pelota 1st championships (1995, 1998, 1999 and 2001), turning in the youngest player to win a txapela at the age of 20. The doubles championships of 1996 and 2003, and a total of 5 subchampionships in the same category.[2]
Hand-pelota (1st) edit
| Year | Champion | Subchampion | Scoreboard | Fronton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Beloki | Erradonea | 22-15 | Atano III |
| 1998 | Beloki | Eugi | 22-13 | Atano III |
| 1999 | Beloki | Arretxe | 22-09 | Atano III |
| 2001 | Eugi | Beloki | 22-13 | Atano III |
| 2001 | Beloki | Eugi | 22-08 | Atano III |
| 2002 | Barriola | Beloki | 22-03 | Atano III |
Doubles-Pelota edit
| Year | Champions | Subchampions | Score | Fronton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993-94 | Titin III - Arretxe | Retegi II - Beloki | 22-14 | Ogueta |
| 1995-96 | Capellán - Beloki | Etxaniz - Arretxe | 22-18 | Atano III |
| 1999 (1) | Nagore - Errandonea | Berasaluze VIII - Beloki | 22-17 | Atano III |
| 2001 | Olaizola I - Goñi III | Alustiza - Beloki | 22-13 | Atano III |
| 2003 | Koka - Beloki | Olaizola II - Pascual | 22-15 | Atano III |
| 2005 | Martínez de Irujo - Goñi III | Bengoetxea VI - Beloki | 22-12 | Atano III |
| 2007 | Xala - Martínez de Eulate | Olaizola I - Beloki | 22-18 | Ogueta |
Hand-pelota (2nd) edit
| Year | Champion | Subchampion | Scoreboard | Fronton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Beloki | Irazola | 22-10 | Anoeta |
Personal life edit
Rubén Beloki lived in Burlada until 29. After his marriage he moved to Gorraiz, where he lives with his wife and three children. A square and a fronton in the town are named after him. [6]
Sources edit
- ^ Beloki Information at Manista.com
- ^ Beloki stats at Asegarce
- ^ 1st Hand-Pelota Championships, Spanish Wikipedia
- ^ Rubén Beloki, Spanish Wikipedia
- ^ 2nd Hand-pelota Championships, Spanish Wikipedia
- ^ "A Burlada le Falta espacio para poder respirar" - Diario de Navarra (Navarra Newspaper Article) [1]