For the first time in history, two pelotaris from Bizkaia will contest the final of the French Elite-Pro Pairs championship. Ekhi Ziarrusta and Inhar Ugarte earned their place in the title match at the Moderno de Baiona on Sunday, April 26, 2026, marking a milestone for Basque pelota on both sides of the border.
The pair secured their spot through consistent performance in the Championnat de France de Parejas, overcoming early doubts about their chances in the top tier. Ziarrusta, originally slated to compete in the second division, was promoted to form a partnership with Ugarte after Peio Larralde withdrew due to injury.
Their journey to the final began years earlier when both athletes became the first from Bizkaia to cross the border to compete in French competitions. They entered the amateur third category in 2018, building on training foundations established in Abadiño under Kepa Arroitajauregi.
Ziarrusta, born in Dima in 1994 and Ugarte, from Getxo and born in 1989, have long been partners in Basque pelota, having previously won Bizkaian and Euskadi championships together. Their promotion to the elite division came after Larralde’s absence opened an opportunity they seized through strong performances in earlier rounds.
Few expected the duo to reach this stage, particularly after their opening match defeat to a Navarrese pairing and the renowned French veteran zaguero. That initial loss, a 40-21 scoreline, did not deter their progression through the tournament.
The final will pit Ziarrusta and Ugarte against Espinal and Ducassou at the Moderno de Baiona, with the match scheduled to begin at 11:00 local time. The venue, located in the French Basque region of Iparralde, serves as the historic heart of trinquette competition.
This achievement represents a significant breakthrough for pelota in Bizkaia, where the sport has traditionally had limited following compared to other Basque territories. The pair’s success highlights the growing competitiveness of athletes from the region when given access to higher-level competition.
Both athletes acknowledged the improbability of their run, with Ziarrusta noting in mid-April interviews that they had not been considered contenders entering the championship. Their path to the final reflects perseverance and adaptation to the elite level of French pelota.
The outcome of Sunday’s match will determine whether Bizkaia claims its first txapela (championship trophy) in the French Elite-Pro Pairs category. Regardless of the result, their appearance in the final establishes a new benchmark for participation and performance from the territory.
As the pelota community awaits the championship decider, the focus remains on the historic nature of Ziarrusta and Ugarte’s accomplishment. Their journey from local courts in Abadiño to the final of France’s most prestigious trinquette competition underscores the sport’s evolving landscape.
The next checkpoint for the athletes is the final match itself on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at the Moderno de Baiona. Fans and followers of Basque pelota can anticipate a contest that carries significance beyond the immediate title at stake.
What does this achievement mean for the future of pelota in Bizkaia? It demonstrates that athletes from the region can compete and succeed at the highest levels when provided opportunities to train and compete against elite opposition. Their success may inspire increased investment and participation in the sport locally.
How did they overcome their initial setback? After losing their opening match 40-21, Ziarrusta and Ugarte adjusted their tactics and found consistency in subsequent rounds, eventually earning their place in the final through resilience and improved performance.
What are the broader implications for Basque pelota? This milestone challenges historical perceptions about the sport’s regional strongholds and suggests that talent development, when combined with access to top-tier competition, can yield breakthroughs from traditionally underrepresented areas.
As Sunday’s final approaches, the story of Ziarrusta and Ugarte serves as a reminder that in sports, opportunity combined with perseverance can rewrite what is considered possible. Their presence in the Moderno de Baiona final is not just a personal achievement but a moment for the wider pelota community to reflect on pathways to excellence.
