«I have never been without family or a friend in difficult times»

On October 17, he surprisingly announced that his professional career had ended. “The body has told me enough is enough.” At 30 years old, shoulder and back injuries have forced Danel Elezkano to make “one of the most difficult decisions of my life.” The first thing is health, “and when you see that leaving it is the only option there is nothing to do,” he points out.

– He announced his retirement from professional ball on social networks.

– Yes. It was very hard even though I had gotten around to the idea a few months ago. The doctors made it clear to me, but I was waiting for a final evaluation with a little hope. When it arrived it was very similar to the previous ones and there was no other remedy. Hard, but it was the only option and we have to look forward.

– Have you realized that it’s over?

– I am calm because I have given everything I had inside. I have done everything in my power during this last year with the hope of playing again without pain, but I have seen that my body has clearly told me that I cannot continue. Just like the doctors, to whom I am very grateful, who made it clear to me the great risk that existed if I played again. Since I announced my farewell, the expressions of affection received have been innumerable and it has been difficult to assimilate them because they brought back many memories.

– Has it been one of the most complicated decisions you have made in your life?

– Definitely. The ball has been my life. Anyone who knows me knows what it is like for me. The number of hours I have spent in a fronton and playing I have been the happiest. But things have turned out that way. The first thing is health. And when you see that it is the only option there is nothing you can do.

– It all started about a year ago as brachialgia with lower back pain.

– I have injuries in different parts of the body. The right shoulder and back are especially bad. The pain was getting worse. I have received different treatments, I have been through different doctors and physiotherapists… Not only to play ball, but to lead a normal life I have pain.

– There will be no farewell.

– I don’t think I need it. The last twelve years as a professional, even the previous ones, have allowed me to feel the affection that people have transmitted to me. I have seen the type of people I have around me. I have never been without family or a friend in difficult times, and it is the most beautiful thing I have taken with me.

many friends

– For the last eight years it has belonged to Aspe and the promoter has not said anything.

– I am very grateful for the opportunity they gave me. I have spent wonderful years with them. I have made many friends that I will always carry with me. I feel lucky to have been a professional. Now I will have to follow the ball from the other side, but I will continue doing it.

– What do you keep from your career?

– It’s hard to say. Ball has been more than a sport. It is an instrument to learn and transmit values. I have applied many of the things I have learned at the fronton to life. I also keep all the friends I have made. I fulfilled a dream when I signed my first contract as a professional, when I debuted and when I played in a final. There have been many moments.

– Is there a thorn in your side?

– I am leaving calm because I have given everything I had inside in every training session and match. I hope my surroundings have felt the same.

– What did winning two Couples txapelas mean for you?

– Both were very special, especially the first one. It was something very big. The previous year, after having a great tournament with Rezusta, we did not perform at our level in the final, so winning the txapela was a prize that we deserved. I fulfilled a dream. I was able to dedicate it to my grandpa… The second one was also very nice with Zabaleta. The shame is that it was in the middle of a pandemic, the important thing was health, the fronton was empty and we enjoyed it in a different way.

– Being champion, his company left him out of the tournament the following year. Was it frustrating?

– Yes. The ball has given me and it has also taken a lot from me, but I have been happy. I have lived through difficult moments and I have learned from them. And at that moment I realized what kind of people surrounded me. It was very hard, because I deserved to play in that championship, and what hurt me the most is that they didn’t even give me a sporting explanation.

– The ball is already passed. Will you continue to be linked in some way to this sport?

– Don’t know. At the moment I am focused on my recovery, but one way or another I will continue because it has been my life. It hurts me that I can’t even play with the ‘goxua’ ball, but at 30 years old I am focused on reducing day-to-day pain.