Career
He is also called "El mago de Eratsun" (Spanish: "The wizard of Eratsun"), since he is considered one of the best Basque pelota players of all time. He played as a foreplayer. He worked as a stonecutter and in the wood industry.
On July 14, 1974 he started his professional career as a pelotari in the Cinema frontón of Zarautz (Gipuzkoa), having as a partner another pelotari, Juaristi.
They were defeated by Azorena and Etxeandia by 22-21. He played his last match on September 20, 2001, in the Adarraga frontón, Logroño, with Barriola against Olaizola II and Armendariz.
He lost 18-22. He debuted in the same town his father did, Zarauz, but in a different frontón called Aritzbatalde in July 2005.
He wears the name Retegi Bi in honour of his father (Bi means two in Basque, the number Julián wore), although the name should have been Retegi VIII due to their dynasty as pelotaris. 1st Hand-pelota singles championship
From that day on he started his brilliant career, getting to the finals from 1980 to 1993, and winning the championship eleven times.
2nd hand-pelota singles championship.