The Bare-handed Pelota First League (''Campeonato Manomanista'') is the most important tournament competition of
Hand-pelota category of
Basque pelota. It was created in 1940, when the new Basque Pelota Spanish Federation, to have a champion of the category. In its beginnings, the championship was disputed every two years, turning into an annual tournament since 1950. The first champion was
Atano III
Mariano Juaristi Mendizábal (February 21, 1904 – January 12, 2001) was an Azkoitian Basque pelota player known as Atano III. He is often considered one of the best ''pelotaris'' of all time, dominating the 1st hand-pelota category from 192 ...
.
Retegi II, holds the title of most wins with 11, 9 consecutives.
Until 1995 the competition system was ''stair'', the winner of the past year was directly qualified to final and following him the other players in its last year respective positions, always maintaining the position earned in the last tournament. From 1995 to present, the system had several modifications that make it similar to a tennis tournament.
In the current competitions four semifinalists of last year are directly qualified to quarter finals. The winner is awarded with a
txapela
A beret ( or ; ; eu, txapela, ) is a soft, round, flat-crowned cap, usually of woven, hand-knitted wool, crocheted cotton, wool felt, or acrylic fibre.
Mass production of berets began in 19th century France in the long nineteenth century, ...
as a symboland a trophy.
Since 1957 its disputed also the
Bare-handed Pelota Second League, for debutant and minor level ''pelotaris'', that doesn't reach the level of professional pelota players, that consists of 2 or 3 games, played on weekends and holidays in frontons. the 2nd Hand-Pelota champion is allowed to participate in the next edition of 1st Hand-Pelota.
Championships
Winner pelotaris
{{Basque Pelota
Basque pelota competitions
Sports leagues established in 1940