Huapaya: “I’m still very demanding”

“I am very demanding, sir.” There isn’t a soccer fan in A Coruña over forty who doesn’t remember this sentence William Huapaya (Lima, December 1955). Four decades after he was a member of Deportivo and already retired as a physical education teacher — a task he dedicated himself to after leaving football — the striker recalls an anecdote with Arsenia Iglesias, his time at Dépor and talks about his current stage of life.

— With the death of O Bruxo de Arteixo, many people remembered you and your phrase. What was that anecdote?

— It was a match against Tenerife. I changed my clothes an hour ago. I remember being marked by a soccer player named Gilberto. I made a great game, but it was dead. That’s why the coach took me out. It was a physically very demanding match. I was sitting in the stands and at the end Arsenio came to me and said: “How are you, kid?” and I replied, “I am very exacting, sir.” I didn’t give it much importance, because it’s a phrase that’s used here a lot. It was normal for me. But it looks like he was having fun. Then he reminded me of it in training, and I know he said it publicly. But I didn’t take it the wrong way. He was a great person and a great coach. I was very sad when I found out about his departure. I learned a lot with him. We drank coffee and he explained to me. It was very serious. Winner.

— Do you keep in touch with A Coruña?

— Yes, I made some good friends, like Luisito Ucha. Great coach of minors. And then another friend outside of football. But I have a great affection for people. There are not many such hobbies in the world. At that time, it was not what it is now, with a third category team and so many people on the field. However, it has already been seen that there is football hunger.

Did you feel well treated?

– Phenomenal. I think the fans loved me a lot. I noticed every time I went out to warm up that people were clapping for me. I always felt very loved. I was there for a short time, but it was very pleasant.

— He had to live the “longa noite de pedra” of Deportivo, at the age of twenty in the Second League.

We had a very good team. But I don’t know what happened that we finished in the middle of the table. There were outstanding football players. I remember Jorge, Ballesta, José Luis, Traba, Vicente, Brizzola, Peralta, Silvio… A lot of quality. And the wardrobe was very good. Big joker. I remember Silvi called me Huaperas instead of Huapay (laughs out loud).

— He finished the contract and returned to his country.

-That. I didn’t like the climate there either… When I signed for Deportivo, I had the opportunity to go to Toulouse. But I thought Spain was better, the weather was better. And it turns out that I arrived in A Coruña and the rain didn’t stop. Then, at the end of the contract, the agent who was supposed to take me to France died, so nothing. They offered me to go to Recreativo, but I decided to return. And, well, it wasn’t bad at all. I got several promotions and a title. I eventually retired to Defensor de Lima, after going to the First League. Upon my return, I enrolled in physical education. When I retired, I started teaching until retirement.

— But he came to live in Madrid for a while, didn’t he?

– It coincides with the hundredth anniversary of Deportivo, when they invited me to A Coruña, I went to Madrid. I had the title of junior coach and I wanted to get a B. However, without documentation, it became impossible for me. So I spent some time working with a friend in his travel agency. You have to do everything in life. You should not be ashamed of work. But soon I returned home.

—Did you experience Deportivo’s successes from a distance?

-Of course. I was talking about this with my father, who is 97 years old, just these days after you told me that you were going to interview me. What a joy that they remember one with everything that was experienced there! My father always remembers the penalty that Đukić missed. But then, exactly, the successes came.

— Already retired, he will be less in demand.

— (laughter before answering). Don’t believe it. I am still very demanding, because I have a football school that bears my name, and which, by the way, wears white and blue in honor of Deportivo. I used this interview, I hope the rectors of the club will read it and send us new jerseys, because we would be very excited. In addition, I am with my grandchildren from one place to another. I have two, Jordani (12 years old) and Luciana (8). The boy goes to football school and is in very good condition. He is still small and you already know that this is complicated. But I think it can come. On top of that, well, I’m still playing football, now seven-on-seven. I organize parties with my friends. Even though I have osteoarthritis, I can’t stop. So you can see that I demand a lot from myself every day.

– What car do you have?

— Nothing now, because I don’t drive anymore.

“Do you wear a watch?”

Yes, I wear it from time to time. But I have to tell you that I don’t really like it, because as time passes quickly, looking at time gets old.

-Meal.

—In Galicia, tortilla and lentils made for me by Purita, the one at the guesthouse. He always repeated with the lens. She told me I had to keep the weight off, but I couldn’t stand it (laughs).

-Drink.

— Inca Kola. It is a typical soft drink here in Peru.

— The last task you did at home?

– Who me? (Series). I do everything at home: I clean, do laundry…

-The kitchen?

-I like it very much. I do everything. We have a very diverse cuisine and I guess everything.

-A book.

— The last thing I read was from Cape, the Argentine coach. I liked it.

-Movie.

“I couldn’t keep just one.” I have many years, so please allow me the license to pick at least three: Casablanca, A Man Called Horse, and Grease.

— A historical figure.

-Two. Francisco Bolognesi and Miguel Grau, two of our Peruvian heroes.

—For information, press, radio or television?

— Mainly, press and television.

– Are you a believer?

—Yes, I listen to my gospel every day.