Rural sport

"I think I'm at a very good time," explained the Ochagavian aizkolari in the run-up to the challenge against Eneko Otaño. "It's going to be very difficult, it's a lot of seconds to take it off," he admits. "I'm going to have to have a cool head," he adds.

The challenge between Iker Vicente and Eneko Otaño was presented this Tuesday in the bullring of Toulouse, where Eneko Otaño will have a two-truncheon, which will be the third challenge with such an advantage.

In Mallabia, the third day of the Neguko Harri Herri Tournament has been held, and five of the following harrij-asociators have won the ticket for the grand final to be played on January 4: Imanol Royo, Mikel Lopetegi, Goizeder Abendibar, Ainitze Zumeta and Eider Garcia Durana.

Last Sunday, in Asteasu, Estefania Etxebesteleft a great mark on history with a 150 poundrectangular stone.

Ituren's harrijasotzaile now faces a new challenge, breaking Idoia Etxeberria's record.

Gari Garmendia has just won the first txapela of the Basque Country Great Stones Championship, which has been the first great unenjoyed txapela, according to Garmendia.

The Idiazabal stone lifter gets his first cap with a total of 7,100 pounds raised. "The last week I've had a really bad time mentally," the new champion explains. "I've been physically very well prepared, but the last week I've dropped everything, I don't know what happened to me, I haven't enjoyed anything today," he adds.

"The last two weeks have been very long for me," the Ituren stone lifter confesses after getting the feat. "I've had a really bad time at home, turning my head around; in the penultimate training I made three attempts and didn't lift any," he stresses.

On Saturday the final of the Euskal Tinberwill decide which is the most competent aizkolari of Euskal Herria. In the final, among others, Xabier Zaldua and his son Jon will compete.

Sixteen aizkolaris will play the txapela in this specialty that is being held for the first time in Euskal Herria. EITB, through eitb.eus and ETB1, will broadcast it from 23:00. 

On the fourth day of the Popular Sports League, the most contested session to date, the team made up of Julen Alberdi, Jon Gisasola, Uxue Ansorregi and Patricia Martín, team B, has won the second place.

Last Saturday Andoni Iruretagoiena Izeta VIchallenged the cameras of ETB. He has waited for his opponent but no one has accepted the challenge of Izeta VI.

On the third day, on Monday in Alegia, Osa, "Urra" Astondoa and Larrañaga have outperformed the team of athletes, who have added a point. In the ranking, the winners already have 18 points.

Andoni Iruretagoiena "Izeta VI" has challenged the cameras of EITB to pick up a ball 50 times 100 kilos, cut 10 kanaerdikos and run 5 km. It will be in the bullring of Azpeitia at the end of March or the beginning of April.

The second day of "Kirol Herri" has been as spectacular as it has been convulsive. In the individual work, the team of Larrañaga, Pikabea,  Lopetgi and Osa has advanced 3-1. In the doubles, Lopategi and Osa have taken the two points.

On the second day of the winter "Harri Herri", Jokin Eizmendi has matched the mark of Xabat Olaizola. Beñat Telleria and Gorka Etxeberria have received 9 and placed third and fourth in the classification. In the female category, Lierni Osa has scored the best, 13 lifts, one less than Maddi Gesalaga.

Paulo Azpiazu has just decided to leave the stone uprising because of injuries and other duties of his life.

The stone lifter, who was born in Bergara but has lived in Estella since he was seven years old, has acknowledged that "I don't carry the stone in my blood, only to devote myself to it in the 100." "I want to spend more time on mine," he added.