José Manuel Ruiz Reyes (Guadix, 1978) is a physical education professor at the María Zambrano College in Granada. His students no longer repair the disability of the prosecution of gymnastics, which was born without part of the right arm. However, they do not overlook that their teacher will parade today at the Maracaná stadium as a flag bearer of the Spanish Paralympic team in the Rio Games.
Ruiz is an international table tennis figure. He faces his sixth consecutive games in Rio. His passage through Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012 consecrate it as the Spanish Active Athlete with more Olympic appointments to his credit.
“Representing my country is always a pride, but this year the emotion will be even greater when the flag bearer and carry the flag of Spain in a mythical stadium like Maracaná,” says the Granada player in statements to El País. A privilege, he remembers, only within reach of figures such as Rafa Nadal, Pau Gasol, Manel Estiarte, Teresa Perales, David Casinos or King Felipe VI in the Games of Barcelona 92.
In his record as a Palist there are four Paralympic medals: an individual money, plus one silver and two bronzes by teams. During the 22 years that has been defending the colors of Spain, it accumulates about 30 metals, several gold, in European and world championships.
Table tennis is one of the most numerous sports of the Paralympic program, with about 300 participants and 29 gold medals at stake. Athletes are grouped into 11 classes, depending on their degree and type of disability. Classes from one to ten include players with physical disabilities or cerebral palsy, while category 11 is for those with intellectual disabilities. It is played similar to that practiced by people without disabilities. “It is the most inclusive sport I know. Apart from the games, we compete against other elite players without disabilities, which helps improve our level,” explains Ruiz.
The Spanish flag bearer competes in category Ten, reserved for athletes with less physical disabilities who play standing. The Guadix currently militates at the ranks of the Tennis Sports Club of Mesa Rivas, facing the best players without disabilities in the maximum division of this sport.
Disability has never been a “ballast” for José Manuel. “I was born like this because of a congenital agenesis and I have managed well in life.” Passionate about sport, the lack of the right forearm did not prevent him from trying his luck in football, basketball and even cycling.
His skill with the blade has made him deserving of the bronze medal of the Royal Order of Sports Merit (2013) and the Andalusian Sports Award for Best Athlete with Disabilities in 2001, 2008 and 2010. The most emotional recognition, as he recounts, came after the Beijing games. The Guadix City Council paid tribute giving its name to the municipal pavilion of the city, the same scenario where it began in the ping pong.
“Everything began there. I spent more hours playing than in my house. The recognition and affection of your friends, of your people, is even more important than a medal,” he says without hiding the emotion.
José Manuel Ruiz is the current number 4 of world ranking in its category. The Granada is one the struts of the Paralympic movement and is part of the Commission of Athletes of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).
Being world champion and adding medals does not guarantee living from sport, at least for people with disabilities. Paralympics combine high competition with civil life. The Spanish flag bearer is a diploma and a degree in Sciences of Physical Activity and Sports from the University of Granada. Casado and father of two girls, took the necessary time between games and championships to approve in 2007 the oppositions to Physical Education professor.
Paralympic gold, he acknowledges, “is a thorn that I have nailed.” The Spanish Palist is among the favorites to climb to the highest step in the drawer. The hardest rivals, once again, are a priori the Poles and Chinese representatives.
