Diego Elías shines in squash: Why could this Peruvian athlete soon be a top 5 in the world?

Twenty days ago, on October 5, Diego Elijah suffered one of the hardest setbacks of his career. After a forced stoppage due to injury in July, “El Puma peruano”, as he is known on the circuit, returned to the competition and obtained better results than expected: he won a minor tournament and then at the English Open, Paul Coll, number three of the world, he played the decisive points better to defeat him in the quarterfinals.

Beyond the setback, the parity of the process, confirmed to Diego that he was on the right track. Already in the United States, his feelings were great, especially after defeating Mohamed El Shorbaggy second racket in the world ranking. . After a start of terror for Diego, the Egyptian prodigy took a two-set lead to zero. The die seemed to be cast when the Peruvian used all his magic to reverse the score. He crushed Asal in the next two sets and was 8-2 in the fifth set. It was impossible for him to escape the triumph, but it happened. The pharaoh took advantage of the fact that Diego slowed down to carry out an unlikely victory. This most painful but instructive fall is closely linked to yesterday’s consecration.

“I do my best to know all the subtle reasons for the defeat and I strive to get revenge”, he wrote in his biography Anatoly Karpov former world chess champion. Something similar declared Diego in the preview of the Qatar final: “I have learned a lot from the recent defeats against Paul and Mostafa, I am ready for a rematch”. And that it was, it was proven from the first games. In those two preliminary rounds, in the absence of inspiration, Diego opposed character. He not only relies on his successes on his enormous talent but also on his fighting ability. The great ones win even without being enlightened. Diego learned to do it. Later, in the semis and in the final especially, he gave a lecture to the amazement of the Qataris and our joy.

. Her future looms bright when you consider her reach, her proverbial doll, and her strong head. In addition, he is one of the two youngest squash players in the top 10. Farag (29), The Shorbaggy (30). Coll (29), Gawad (30) and Momen (33) have been the leaders of the circuit for several years. Diego will just turn 25 in a month. Time seems to be your ally. The top is not that far.

Within the encouraging outlook there are some cons. The first is that Elijah it is not light. Its size allows it to reach very difficult balls with relative ease, but to do so it must have a certain kilogram. If you are not in optimal physical shape, your own bones can take its toll. The Egyptian, like Diego, is a natural talent, but he has in favor his quick take-off (he is already a top ten), his speed and his precocity: he is 20 years old. He will be the rival to beat in the future. They have already faced each other twice with victories in five sets for the Egyptian. If Diego wants to become the best of all, he will have to find a way to consistently beat him.

Confidence plays a decisive role in sport. And Jose Manuel’s son has already convinced himself that if he is physically and mentally well, it will be very difficult to stop his ascent. Let others worry. Diego Elijah, Peruvian, goes for everything.