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Father, the mentor
Currently a member of the Privas
club in Madrid, always Alvaro
received encouragement from every
club where he played but his father
was the driving force.
My father, a professor of English,
teaching in Seville, was my
mentor, my biggest supporter,
my inspiration; it’s through him
I succeeded in sport”, reflected
Alvaro Valera. “He enabled me
to realise my dreams, he pushed
me forward, he told me “nothing
is impossible”; he organised my
training, he was a table tennis player,
so he could practise with me.”
Sadly, his father passed away on
Tuesday 11 th May 2004.
“It was one of the most painful
moments in my life, I will always be
thankful to him, and I will always
carry his memory”, said Alvaro
Valera, the tone of voice reflecting
the deep hurt and the immense sense
of gratitude for the years of support.
Thankfully, father lived to witness
his son complete the triumvirate;
competing in class 8, he won the
men’s singles title at the 1998 World
Championships in Paris, at the Sydney
2000 Olympic Games he struck gold,
before the following year in Frankfurt
being crowned European champion.
Later further medals were to come
his way in class 7 and then class 6;
the categories in which he played
underlining the deterioration in his
physical condition.
“My legs and arms are affected, the
nerves lose connection, explained
Alvaro Valera. “The muscles become
weaker, I lose balance and strength in
my arms.”
Alvaro Valera is acutely conscious
of the restrictions that are imposed
and realises that he cannot play at
the level he achieved some two
decades ago.
“I think I was at my best level in
2000, I had fewer weak points. In
those days I was better in the rallies,
I could cover the table more, now
not so good. I’m not as aggressive
as I used to be, everything is weaker,
I have to focus on ball placement
and on tactics,” explained Alvaro
Valera. “My forehand used to be
very effective but gradually it is
getting weaker, now I attack less
effectively, last year I lost the ability
to top spin from my forehand.
My strength has always been my
backhand, but likewise I’m losing
power and I have to block more.”
In determined mood at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Adapt
Using long pimpled rubber on the
backhand, Alvaro Valera has proved
a most challenging opponent.
Attacking using that surface is very
effective but very difficult to put into
effect. Carl Prean and Chen Xinhua
were particularly good at the art; the
fact Alvaro Valera has good wrists, a
good feeling for the ball, has made
him successful using such a surface.
“From the backhand I have
always tried to play fast, making
life difficult for an opponent”,
said Alvaro Valera. “Now I must
make full use of my services, I
have experience, I think I have
Alvaro Valera with José Luis Machado after winning gold at the 2017 European Para Championships
good anticipation, but I must
focus on good placement; always
I am thinking of new techniques,
new strategies and play smart.”
More than almost any other
player, Alvaro Valera has been
required to adapt; simply to be
able to compete internationally
and prove successful, he has had
no choice. It is in this respect his
strong character shines; he sees
making changes an opportunity.
“I’m trying to be very precise,
especially with my first stroke;
I have to adapt, that is the main
point of keeping playing for a
long time, you must learn how
to adapt. Adjusting, I take it as
an opportunity to learn and cope
with whatever life holds for me;
you cannot change the hand you
have been dealt”, stressed Alvaro
Valera. “It happens to everyone, I
use my courage to overcome, find
a way to ride the wave. It’s what
I do when I play, it’s what I do in
life; with age your level goes down,
just deal with the situation, find
new ways, change your mindset,
re-invent yourself.”
The positive attitude is an example
to all, there is no moaning and
groaning, lay history to rest and
meet the next challenge.
“I’ve had the illness all my life,
keep going forward, adapt and deal
with anything that comes along;
nothing lasts forever. The day
will come when it’s too difficult
for me to play but I’ve enjoyed
some great moments, glorious
times. I love playing table tennis,
it’s great mental stimulation,” said
Alvaro Valera. “I’ve represented
my country; I’ve played in the
Paralympic Games, won gold
and enjoyed beautiful days, very
special days. I’ve won five World
In London with mother, eldest nephew Juan and sister Cristina
Silver in men’s singles class 6 in Rio de Janeiro
Championship titles, two with Jordi
Morales, China in 2014 being a
tournament to remember.”
In 2010 in Gwangju, Alvaro Valera
and Jordi Morales won men’s team
class 6-7, four years later in Beijing
with Alberto Seone completing
the team, they retained the title;
significantly, in China’s capital city,
Alvaro Valera secured the men’s
singles class 6 title.
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