PERRONE'S FINAL HURRAH

Spain's talisman eyes world title to end career, spend time on other pursuits

- David Lee

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 Centre pool before he hangs up his cap.

The Brazil-born Spaniard had previously indicated he would retire after past world championships and Paris 2024, and had sat out of world No. 2 Spain's victorious World Cup campaign in January.

But he explained to The Straits Times on July 14, after helping his team to a 10-7 win over 11th-ranked Australia, that he is hanging around for one last hurrah.