Granada table tennis player José Manuel Ruiz and Mallorcan swimmer Xavi Torres can boast of being two legends of Spanish Paralympic sport. At the Tokyo event, the two will reach their seventh Games, equaling blind athlete Purificación Santamarta and wheelchair shooter Kike Soriano, both retired for years.
José Manuel Ruiz (Granada, 1978) is the history of table tennis and also of Spanish sport. He is evidenced by three decades at the top of table tennis and an extensive track record with world and European medals but also with the five medals added in five Paralympic Games from his debut in Atlanta’96 to the last in Rio de Janeiro 2016.