Jose Manuel Ruiz

Started: He took up the sport in 1992 in Spain. (Athlete, 14 Oct 2015) Reason: He decided to focus on table tennis after trying a number of different sports. "My friends and I were always in the sports hall of Guadix [in Spain], practising several sports. Coach Juan Requena encouraged me to try table tennis. I realised I was good at it as every time I tried a new movement I learnt it faster than the rest of the kids. I also realised that once the training session was over, I was eager to come back. I didn't experience this feeling for any other sport." (granadadigital.es, 10 Nov 2022; Athlete, 14 Oct 2015) Ambition: To win gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (granadadigital.es, 10 Nov 2022) Awards: In 2019 he received the Silver Medal of the Royal Order of Sports Merit in Spain. He was previously awarded the Bronze Medal of the Royal Order of Sports Merit in 2013. (rfetm.es, 21 Nov 2019, 06 Aug 2013) He was Spain's flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. (lavanguardia.com, 08 Sep 2016) He was named 2010 Para Athlete of the Year in Andalusia, Spain. (rfetm.es, 04 Jul 2011) The Jose Manuel Ruiz Reyes Municipal Pavilion in Guadix, Spain, was named in his honour. (europapress.es, 02 Mar 2021; ideal.es, 04 Oct 2008) Additional Info: OCCUPATION He has worked for the education and sports department of the Regional Government of Andalusia in Spain. (LinkedIn profile, 26 Feb 2024)