Two Jerez in the women’s wheelchair basketball team and others two in the male are making history in the Tokyo Paralympic Games. “By chance the four of us got together in the Paralympic Village and people say ‘look there are the musketeers of Jerez’ “. Who tells this anecdote is David benitez, one of the technical assistants of the Spanish team who also captains Jerez Abraham Carrion. The other two musketeers that are part of the cartel are the Zarzuela brothers, two of the most prominent players in a men’s team who has reached the quarterfinals after winning all four of his qualifying matches. Germany wait for the Spanish.
“I am enjoying and trying to record in the mind all the images that we can”
The women’s wheelchair basketball team He is also signing Unforgettable Games. Abraham Carrion, Spanish coach, highlights in this regard lavozdelsur.es. “It is the first time that the women’s team has qualified for the Games on its own merits. It was in Barcelona to be the host, but it is the first time that it has been achieved in its own right. I am lucky to go hand in hand with a series of athletes who have fought their whole lives to be here. We make the most of it every day because we don’t know when we will be lucky enough to do it again. “
For the Jerez coach, who has been linked to wheelchair basketball for a lifetime, be in some Games for the first time it is proving “an incredible and unique experience for someone who loves sport and understands it as their way of life, be they an athlete or a coach. It is the most important element that exists, the one that best represents the values of sport and it is wonderful to be here , with all the athletes, the delegations and the countries. We are living a dream. ”
“The truth is that it is a pride to carry the name of Jerez as a flag”
Spanish coach since 2015, Abraham He has been away for many years, but he has not lost his bond with his land and for him it is the best to represent the city. “To carry the name of Jerez as a flag, to say that you are from Jerez and you are here in Such, in the sports capital of the world right now, and making history, the truth is that it is a pride. Share this with David, with whom I have been working for so many years, it is impressive. I could not find a better partner to be on the bench leading this selection. I am very happy, enjoying every moment and trying to record all the images that we can in my mind. And, obviously, trying to do the best possible so that the players can continue to make history and we can contribute to the growth of Spanish women’s basketball. ”
Appointment with the medals against Germany
For David benitez, his second in command, is also being “an unforgettable, amazing, precious experience … Defining it with a single word is impossible. Being here as a technician, after spending so many years as an athlete, is a reward for all my history sports and all the years sacrificed for sports. The experience is being impressive on a personal level. ”
“I say to the four winds that I am from Jerez because I feel very proud”
Although the Spanish team is making history with its move to quarter finals in his first participation, in his own right, in some Paralympic Games, the Jerez coach does not forget self-criticism to improve. “We have lost three games of the four played against top teams, the best in the world. We still have a little more work to do. We would have liked to lose something less or perhaps playing something better. It is the negative thing for us as coaches. Perhaps we have not developed our full strength or talent to play with the greats. Algeria the whole world has won him. We have to see how high we are with those we have lost. “
“Our guide is Japanese, but she has lived in Jerez and is in love with the city”
At 8 in the morning of this Tuesday (15 hours in Tokyo), España it will be played to get into the semifinals against Germany. It is not an impossible mission, but you have to do everything very well. Benitez comment on it. “I’m content with playing a good game. If we play a good game and do the things we have to do, there would be options. Then everything will depend on whether the happy little ball goes through the basket. If we win, we will go to the goal. semifinals and we would make history. If we lose, we will fight from fifth to eighth place and we would be among the ten best powers in the world. “
And as a member of the group of musketeers of Jerez and after a long career as a player, to Benitez It is being spectacular to show off as a Jerez in Tokyo. “It’s amazing. When they ask me where I’m from, I say I’m from Jerez and I say it with tremendous pride. Coincidentally, the girl who guides us is Japanese, but she has had the experience of living in Jerez for a few months. She is in love with Jerez and is looking forward to coming back. It is amazing to bear the name of Jerez. I say it from the rooftops because I am proud. ”
