Hi everybody,

On behalf of the Beltran family, wanted to make you aware of and ask you to participate in a contest conducted by a popular newspaper in Tijuana, Mexico. Alvaro is competing against several other local celebrity-athletes for that journal's title of "favorite sportsman".

It takes just a second to cast your vote over the internet at the following link:

http://www.frontera.info/deportista2010/

The voter count is kept as well, so you can see how close the race is - he has a good chance if he can bump up participation.

For those that may not be aware, racquetball is a fairly mainstream and recognized activity in Mexico. Since he is competing against athletes from other sports, casting your vote is an easy, free opportunity to get the sport in the headlines for some free promotions and good will. (Alvaro was just nominated by a different agency in Tijuana a few weeks ago for a similar type of award).

If you have a minute, follow the link and click on the button for Alvaro, "jus like dat".

The contest ends Friday, and you can vote once every 24 hours.
Thanks in advance,
Kathy

Even though I would like Alvaro to win because I follow the IRT more than the WPRO, and because he is an exciting player to watch, I think Paola Longoria is a more deserving athlete for the award!!

Just my opinion but thanks anyway for advertising it

jujolosa

Even though I would like Alvaro to win because I follow the IRT more than the WPRO, and because he is an exciting player to watch, I think Paola Longoria is a more deserving athlete for the award!!

Just my opinion but thanks anyway for advertising it

I'm not sure who is more deserving because they both seem to be great people but I am kinda shocked there was not more mention of Paola being in the running also. The way they have it set up I didn't even see her picture until I scrolled all the way down.

jujolosa

Even though I would like Alvaro to win because I follow the IRT more than the WPRO, and because he is an exciting player to watch, I think Paola Longoria is a more deserving athlete for the award!!

Just my opinion but thanks anyway for advertising it

You know what?!

I didn't even notice that Paola was on there till a minute before I even saw your post here.

Holy Moly!!!!

Thank you for posting your interest and opinions. My vote for Alvaro is based on a personal affection for him, a belief that he epitomizes good sportsmanship and professionalism, and also that his hometown and entire family base is in Tijuana.

Although Paola has mentioned receiving funding assistance from the Tijuana area in order to tour professionally at the start (this was stated in an article on the 40x20 website after she received a National award from the Mexican government) her family is based out of San Luis Potosi, and she is a student in Monterrey and told me that she currently lives in Monterrey, Mexico. It's possible that this status has changed recently, however, I do have the opinion that Alvaro, based on his 10 or so years as a professional, and his truly special presence as an athlete and competitor, has had more of a positive influence on the area of Tijuana.

Just my opinion, and I am happy that you have taken the time to form an opinion and express it here. Thank you for commenting,

Kathy

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jujolosa

Even though I would like Alvaro to win because I follow the IRT more than the WPRO, and because he is an exciting player to watch, I think Paola Longoria is a more deserving athlete for the award!!

Just my opinion but thanks anyway for advertising it

I'm not sure who is more deserving because they both seem to be great people but I am kinda shocked there was not more mention of Paola being in the running also. The way they have it set up I didn't even see her picture until I scrolled all the way down.

I believe the listing is alphabetical by first name. There is also at least one other female racquetball athlete that I did not mention, because as I mentioned, my lobbying for Alvaro is based on personal affection and opinion, and I am asking you all to vote for him specifically. I also feel like because he is somewhat quiet as a person, and because his native culture is not from the USA, he has been somewhat overlooked as far as developing more of a fan base in the US. His personality is very clever, he has impeccable manners and professionalism, and I feel like it would benefit the sport to have more of a spotlight directed at him as celebrity athlete. But admittedly, I am highly biased, having become very friendly with his family because we workout at the same gym.

Paola has not chance at this contest based on low turnout (which is probably due to the fact that she does not have longevity as a Tijuana resident, not to any shortcoming on her part, she is admittedly quite a beacon for the sport, not just for women pros). So my recommendation is that you vote for Alvaro even if you do consider Paola more deserving, because it will draw attention to the sport better than if you were to waste a vote on Paoloa, who does not seem to have a chance to win.

Thanks again for the interest, publicity outside the internal world of racquetball is an asset to overall success and recognition. Hope you all will take a second of your time to vote.

http://www.frontera.info/deportista2010/

This is a great thing that these two are being nominated for. I have won a sportsmanship award in 2004 for the MRA and it is by far one of the greatest things that could happen to yourself. congrats to them for just being nominated knowing all probably deserve this award.