The mayor presents the 5th Annual Sports Merit Awards to 42 local athletes who have competed in official competitions

In this edition, the City Council has distributed a total of 20,500 euros to support their efforts and contribute to their professional development

The mayor of Estepona, José María García Urbano, presented the 5th Sports Merit Awards, which recognize athletes from Estepona who successfully competed in official competitions during 2025 in the various sports recognized by the Higher Sports Council.

In this fifth edition, 20,500 euros were distributed among a total of 42 athletes. The goal of these awards, as the mayor emphasized, is to support local athletes so they can continue to improve their technical skills, contribute to the advancement of athletic performance, and help strengthen high-level and competitive sports at the regional, national, and international levels. “Behind every victory lie hours of training, moments of sacrifice, challenges overcome, and a steadfast determination to keep moving forward. That is why this recognition not only honors the successes achieved but also the attitude, perseverance, and spirit of self-improvement that made them possible,” he noted.

Three award categories have been established: runner-up in Andalusia; champion of Andalusia or runner-up in Spain (or higher: Europe, World, or international competition); and champion of Spain or higher: Europe, World, or international competition.

This recognizes these athletes’ efforts to remain at the top of their sport and their contribution to promoting Estepona.

Mayor José María García Urbano stated that for the Estepona City Council, “it is a priority to continue promoting initiatives that bring sports closer to citizens, as this is the way to improve health and instill noble values such as camaraderie, hard work, and teamwork.”

The list of award recipients is as follows:

– Andrés Fonseca Castañeda. Andalusian Under-12 Track and Field Runner-Up

– Andrea Galdeano Chimeno. Andalusian Under-16 Track and Field Runner-up.

– David Galiano Puertas. Andalusian Under-12 Chess Runner-up.

– María González Serret. Andalusian Under-10 Chess Runner-Up.

– Miguel Ángel Santos Morales. Andalusian Orienteering Runner-Up

– Francisco Javier Tapia González. Andalusian Orienteering Runner-Up

– Aitor Cugat Prieto. Andalusian Junior Basketball Runner-Up

– Adelli Demi Jaberi. Andalusian Rhythmic Gymnastics Team Runner-up

– Diego López Ortiz. Andalusian Junior Road Cycling Runner-up

– Juan José Durán Machuca. Andalusian Sprint Triathlon Runner-Up

– Christopher William James Prat. Andalusian Swimming Runner-Up

– José Miguel Jiménez Martín. Andalusian Cross-Country Duathlon Champion

– José Antonio García García. Andalusian Cross-Country Duathlon Champion

– Lucas Javier Plaza Jiménez. Andalusian Youth Supersprint Triathlon Champion

– Miguel de los Santos Vílchez. Andalusian Masters Track and Field Champion

– Miguel Francisco López Vázquez. Andalusian Short Track Masters Track and Field Champion

– Nazar Parasy Boychuck. Andalusian Under-14 Track and Field Champion

– Juan Zotano Mena. Andalusian Masters Track and Field Champion

– Gregorio Crespo Moreno. Andalusian Masters Track and Field Champion

– Eric Jean Bourdes Vallart. Andalusian Masters Track and Field Champion

– Claire Simonnet. Andalusian Masters Track and Field Champion

– Juan Sergio Picardo López. Andalusian Masters Track and Field Champion.

– José López Ortiz. Andalusian Road Cycling Champion (Youth Category)

– José Infantes Gómez. Andalusian Road Cycling Champion (Children’s School Category)

– Sophie Jane Onion. Andalusian Masters Swimming Champion

– Gonzalo Bressam. Runner-up in the Copa América National Basketball Team Championship

– Ainhoa Burgos PöHland. Andalusian Minibasket Team Champion

– Lidia María Méndez Sánchez. Andalusian Minibasket Provincial Team Champion

– Hugo Casado Sánchez. Andalusian Minibasket Provincial Team Champion

– Rebeca Antonesei Cretu. Andalusian Pre-Cup Rhythmic Gymnastics Team Champion

– Ariadna Pérez Aranda. Andalusian Champion in Rhythmic Gymnastics Group Events

– Marta Camacho Valadez. Andalusian Under-14 Chess Champion

– Djao Conti. Andalusian Under-16 Trail Champion

– Aitor Fernández Guitierrez. Andalusian Youth Muay Thai Champion

– Salma Amar Abdeselam. Andalusian Youth Muay Thai Champion

– Pedro Aragonés Mora. Andalusian Champion in Amputee Soccer

– Jorge Carlos Haenelt Maguel. Spanish Senior Tennis Champion in Singles and Mixed Doubles

– Lucas Carmona García. Spanish Senior Badminton Doubles Champion

– Rafael Montero Contreras. Spanish Kitesurfing Champion

– Javier Florentino Alcaraz. Spanish Junior Karate Champion

– Gregorio Crespo Sierra. Spanish Under-20 Club Track and Field Champion

– Paula Rodríguez García. Spanish Futsal National Team Champion