Elche’s sports scene is gearing up to honor its heroes at a grand festival scheduled for Thursday, October 26 at 21:00 in the Gran Teatro. The annual gala shines a light on the city’s athletes and clubs, reflecting on the 2022-2023 season as the basis for several prestigious recognitions.
Hugo Arillo and Asún Martínez stand out as Elche’s top athletes of the season
VL Deltell
This special edition will spotlight many notable figures, including the three principal awards: best male athlete, best female athlete, and best club. The evening is set to honor taekwondo practitioner Hugo Arillo, footballer Asun Martínez, and Atticgo Balonmano Elche for their outstanding achievements.
Best male athlete
Hugo Arillo Vázquez is expected to receive the crown as Elche’s best male athlete for the season. His remarkable performance spans multiple stages, from a silver medal at the World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, to a European Games title in Krakow, Poland. He has also claimed the national championship in martial arts and accumulated numerous titles across national and international events.
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Best female athlete
Asun Martínez, a Valencia Football Club player and a recent under-20 world champion, is highlighted as the season’s top female athlete. She has emerged as one of the brightest talents in Spanish women’s football and earned a call-up to the Spanish senior squad, a milestone she openly celebrates as she continues to push her career forward.
Asun Martínez: “I’m living a dream”
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Atticgo Elche, the best club
In the best club category, Atticgo Club Balonmano Elche leads the field, finishing as a strong runner-up in the last Liga Guerreras Iberdrola season, reaching the semi-finals of the EHF European Cup, and advancing to the Copa de la Reina final stages.
AtticGo Elche: A source of local pride for the runners-up
JA Galvan
Elche Football Club is also slated to receive recognition during the centenary celebration. The club will be honored with the Illice a Elx award and the city’s Gold Medal for its enduring contribution to sport in the region.
Other pioneers
The organizers have decided to award the Elx Ciutat d’Esports prize for promoting sport in Elche to Jamie Sanchez, a driving force behind pool sports in the city and current president of the Elche Swimming Club. The Misteri d’Elx prize will recognize the inclusive rugby initiative led by Rugby l’Alcudia Club Esportiu, chaired by Thomas Espinoza.
Three athletes will be honored for lifetime dedication to sport with the Dama d’Elx award: Kiko Martínez, the celebrated boxer known as “Emotion” who recently announced retirement; José Valeriano Zapata, president of the Elche Decathlon Athletics Club since its founding in 1982; and Encarni Rodríguez Martínez, a rhythmic gymnastics coach.
Additionally, six sports achievement honors will go to various organizations and leaders within Elche’s sports world. These include the 208 Triathlon Club Elche, the Elche Skating Club, karate coach Antonio Miguel Verduto, free diver Isabel Sánchez-Aranto, weightlifter Sara Sánchez, and siblings Juan and Pablo Serrano-Torres, part of the local futsal community. A special mention is also planned for Elche Wheelchair Basketball Club, marking its 50th anniversary, along with recognition for A-REGION for ongoing support to Elche’s sports scene.