On Tuesday 31st March, the opening presentation of the 2009 Manomanista Championship will take place at Bilbao Bizkaia Kutxa. The selected competitors from both the empresas will be presented to the media in the presence of representatives from BBK, the sponsors of the tournament, and LEP.M.

The defending manomanista champion is Oinatz Bengoetxea, the 24 year old from Leitza who won his title by defeating Abel Barriola, who also hails from Leitza, on a day when the Navarrese town ruled pelota. Barriola will be back this year in an attempt to turn the tables. Other likely favourites include Juan Martinez de Irujo and Aimar Olaizola, who face each other in the pairs final on Sunday.

Bengoetxea and Barriola, rivals in 2008

Image from: http://www.gara.net/Repository/Imagenes/Pub_7/Issue_1808/EgunHorif01.jpg