There are very few areas of human endeavor at which I consider myself to be world class. Other than being in the top five Z players ever born, I struggle to think of even one thing. Or did struggle, I suppose.
Thanks to Barcelona legend (and Shakira's husband) Gerard Pique and a trio of siblings from Oregon, I've now found somewhere else to focus my considerable talents.
Let's let the Arredondo kids get us started:
This needs to be a spectator sport 😅👏
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) August 20, 2021
(via balloon_league/IG) pic.twitter.com/jyouyvbDox
Pique, who's building quite a sports/entertainment media empire (perhaps Adam Shefter might work for him someday), saw the viral phenomenon gain momentum and seized upon its popularity. He partnered with Spanish internet star Ibai Llanos to organize the very first Balloon World Cup.
Esta histórica primera FINAL del Mundial de Globos nos ha dejado puntos así#BalloonWorldCup pic.twitter.com/9gLkiBYsno
— Balloon World Cup (@BalloonWorldCup) October 14, 2021
Hosted in Tarragona, Spain, the event featured 32 teams representing countries around the globe. In a nice nod to the sport's humble beginnings, Antonio and Diego Arredondo repped the USA, though neither made it to the final, where Peru's Francesco de la Cruz ultimately defeated Germany's Jan Spiess to claim the very first world title.
He'll remain champion until I have sufficient time to train. Unless I get sidetracked by the Lead Balloon World Cup.
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