Jocotepec threw a special celebration Saturday, November 5 in honor of native son Tito Bautista, who will play on Mexico’s wheelchair tennis team in the upcoming Parapan American Games.

Bautista, practice partner Isiais Mendieta and a pair of assistants received a warm welcome at the town plaza as a crowd of spectators gathered round to watch them demonstrate a heated round of volleys on wheels. Afterwards friends and supporters headed for the waterfront Malecon for a taco feast hosted by the municipal government as a fund-raiser to send the accomplished athlete to London for the 2012 Paralympics. He also has his sights on competing in the Korea Open, slated for next May in Seoul.

Pumped up for a heavy practice schedule this week, Bautista will train on his own and pair up with doubles partner Rolando Avila from Durango for the Parapan events running November 15 through 18 at the Telcel Tennis Complex located in Guadalajara’s Parque Metropolitano.

The Mexican players expect to face their stiffest competition from teams representing Brazil, Argentina, Canada and the United States. Gold medalists will earn an automatic pass to the Paralympics. Others will pin their hopes on a wildcard ticket to London.   
Lakesiders keen to cheer them on will find ticket information on page  32.  To contact Bautista about backing his travels on the tennis circuit, send emails to [email protected].