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 nameRubén Beloki Iribarren
Born (1974-08-08) 8 August 1974 (age 50)
Burlada, Navarra
CountrySpain
ProvinceNavarra
Height1.86 m
Weight89 kg
Debut date21 August 1992
Debut frontonAnoeta (San Sebastián)
CategoriesHand-pelota
ManagementAsegarce
Singles
1st Hand-Pelota singles championship1995, 1998, 1999, 2001
2nd Hand-Pelota singles championship1993
Doubles
1st Hand-Pelota doubles championship1995, 1996, 2003
Olympics
Singles 1992 (demonstration)

Professional career

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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)

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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

[3]

Doubles-Pelota

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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

[4]

Hand-pelota (2nd)

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Year Champion Subchampion Scoreboard Fronton
1993 Beloki Irazola 22-10 Anoeta

[5]

Personal life

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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

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  1. ^ Beloki Information at Manista.com
  2. ^ Beloki stats at Asegarce
  3. ^ 1st Hand-Pelota Championships, Spanish Wikipedia
  4. ^ Rubén Beloki, Spanish Wikipedia
  5. ^ 2nd Hand-pelota Championships, Spanish Wikipedia
  6. ^ "A Burlada le Falta espacio para poder respirar" - Diario de Navarra (Navarra Newspaper Article) [1]
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