Spain water polo legend Felipe Perrone will retire with no regrets after world c’ships

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Spanish mens water polo legend Felipe Perrone will retire after the July 11-Aug 3 World Aquatics Championships.

ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR

Summary

• Spanish water polo legend Felipe Perrone will end his illustrious career after a record 13th WCH appearance in Singapore.
• His power, versatility and leadership have made him a respected player with numerous titles and Olympic appearances.
• Singapores water polo team lost 22-10 to Canada, and coach Kan Aoyagi wants to focus on improving speed, technique, and positioning over strength.

AI generated

SINGAPORE – When he was 15, Spanish men’s water polo legend Felipe Perrone almost broke the arm of an over-clingy Hungarian opponent with a kimura wrist-lock.

Asked if Hungary should be wary of him when they meet Spain in their final World Aquatics Championships (WCH) Group B match on July 16 – which decides who proceeds directly to the quarter-finals – the 39-year-old responded with a laugh: “We cannot do this now, but back then I was just a kid and it was a big guy holding me down, so I did that to get away from him.”

While Perrone has gone on to earn a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ),he has also become an accomplished water polo player with one world title, one World Cup triumph and one European crown among 14 medals.

His illustrious career will end in Singapore after a record 13th WCH appearance, and fans should grasp every last opportunity to watch the maestro make his last grapples in the OCBC Aquatic