Last Friday night, the community of Tao experienced a historic and moving day. At 9:00 p.m., the protocolary act of unveiling the plaque with the name of José Luis Aparicio Morales took place in the playground in front of the 'Andrés Curbelo Pollo de Tao' wrestling field.
The event, simple but full of emotions, began with the words of Francisco Hernández Delgado, Official Chronicler of Teguise, who offered a brief historical review of José Luis Aparicio. Then, his son, also named José Luis, represented the family, expressing his deep gratitude and emotion for the posthumous recognition of his father, accompanied by his mother, the widow of José Luis Aparicio, his brothers and grandchildren.
The president of the Tao Wrestling Club, Francisco Díaz, also took the floor, tearfully thanking José Luis Aparicio for his dedication, work and affection towards the club. The Mayor of the Teguise City Council, Olivia Duque, closed the speeches highlighting the commendable work of José Luis Aparicio to keep Canarian Wrestling alive in the arenas.
Immediately afterwards, the Mayor and the widow of José Luis Aparicio proceeded to unveil the plaques: one with the name of José Luis and another with a historical review to inform visitors to the playground about his legacy. Before concluding, the Mayor presented the family with a parchment certifying the recognition.
The act ended with the emotional performance of Professor Ayoze Rodríguez, who performed two instrumental pieces with the transverse flute. The designation of the playground with the name of José Luis Aparicio Morales arose from a proposal from the community, reflecting the profound impact and legacy of his life and work in Tao.
The designation to put the name of José Luis Aparicio Morales on the playground arose from the proposal made by the board of directors of the Tao Wrestling Club and the board of directors of the 'El Fomento de Tao' Neighborhood Association and which was approved unanimously in the plenary session held on September 24.
About José Luis Aparicio Morales
José Luis Aparicio Morales, one of the great references of Canarian wrestling on the island of Lanzarote. Throughout his life he was linked to the vernacular sport, especially in the Tao Wrestling Club where he was president and secretary, a great "Puntal", who although he could not wear wrestling clothes due to his physical problems, gave a large part of his life in a totally altruistic and disinterested way to the administrative and management tasks of the club. In 2016, the Tao Wrestling Club paid him a heartfelt tribute, in which he was very happy to see himself surrounded by his two great families, the biological one and the Club one, where the expressions of affection received during the act made emotions surface.
José Luis Aparicio was always very proud of his father Francisco Manuel Aparicio Bonilla, he was one of the three people who founded the Tao Wrestling Club, transmitting to him the love for his town and for his team. José Luis was also a member of the Lanzarote Island Federation of Canarian Wrestling, of the Regional Committee of Referees, assembly member and member of the Governing Board of the Canarian Wrestling Federation. President of the Lanzarote Island Electoral Board and member of the Central Electoral Board of the Canarian Wrestling Federation. One of his great achievements were the two publications on the history of the Tao Wrestling Club, the first published in 2003 "Tao, miracle of Canarian Wrestling", and the second "LXXV Anniversary of the Tao Wrestling Club", with the valuable collaboration of his friend Bernardo Bravo Martín. José Luis Aparicio Morales, died at the age of 79 in June 2022. A passionate about Canarian Wrestling who gave himself without limits to any work in favor of this sport.
