The ‘Tiger’ José Manuel Elías, why it is the great secret in the success of Diego Elías

“Often our children are similar to us and that is how they give us the first satisfaction.” Without suspecting it, in “Esos locos bajitos (1981)”, Serrat transforms into music a story that would take place two decades later, that of the Elías: José Manuel and Diego, Diego and José Manuel, father and son, son and father of a story embroidered with sacrifice and emotions. Two number one.

Already grateful for the reality of seeing Diego at the pinnacle of world squash, it is inevitable not to think about the man behind the champion: ‘El Tigre’ José Manuel, who when he discovered that he had a talent imagined for himself the highest peaks, but he could not reach them because the times were different and there were no flight manuals that guaranteed safe landings.

He did what he could with what he had. It was not little, he monopolized the national titles for several years, helped spread the discipline he loved and infected his eldest son with the fever of a sport whose beauty is inversely proportional to his popularity. Diego’s crush on squash was instantaneous, the natural athlete sprouted from within and immediately climbed into the tree of blood. That was the beginning of the road.

Success, contrary to what is believed, does not lie only in the achievement of one’s own goals. Juan Manuel Elías, unlike Diego, has not managed to win Platinum tournaments and has not reached the top of the world ranking either. Believe me, he cares a damn, an extension of his, he has achieved everything that he has not been able to conquer. And the happiness that this implies, those of us who are parents know, is as great as waking up one day as the best player in the world.

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