Following the success of the previous edition, II Woman SPORT Awards, a channel of Iberian Press to which this newspaper belongs, acknowledged the outstanding contributions of athletes, organizations, initiatives, and institutions that set benchmarks and served as beacons of inspiration. The ceremony took place at Antiga Fàbrica Estrella Damm, a venue known for supporting, recognizing, and elevating the visibility of women across diverse sports with both national and international reach.
In this year’s edition, the recipients of the II Woman SPORT Awards were announced as follows:
- WOMEN’S SPORTS AWARD: Granted in recognition of Lydia Valentín’s unwavering dedication and drive to reach the pinnacle of her sport. Valentín holds one of Spain’s strongest Olympic resumes for weightlifting, proudly carrying three Olympic medals, four World Championship medals, and twelve European Championship medals. Her sustained achievements have sparked a notable surge of interest and admiration within weightlifting circles.
- COMMUNICATION AWARD: Izaskun Ruiz, celebrated for promoting women’s sports through clear, impactful storytelling. The TV presenter and journalist brings extensive experience to coverage of major events, including the Olympic Games, Paralympics, Athletics and Swimming World Championships, as well as prestigious motorsport and rally events like the MotoGP World Championship and the Dakar Rally.
- ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Carolina Marín, highlighted as a living example of progress and possibility. The badminton icon ascended to world No. 1 in the sport, becoming an Olympic champion, a three-time world champion, and a six-time European champion whose career narrative continues to inspire upcoming generations.
- MANAGEMENT AWARD: Asunción Loriente, president of the Olympic Rowing Federation. She stands out as the sole female president of a national Olympic federation in Spain, guiding the federation with a steady, forward-looking leadership style.
- TEAM AWARD: FastHolaluz, established to support and promote women’s alpine skiing and to help young skiers become benchmarks within Spain’s skiing community. The initiative embodies teamwork, mentorship, and the pursuit of excellence on the slopes.
- CAREER AWARD: Gemma Mengual, honoured for a long, stable, and exemplary professional journey. Her achievements include a remarkable medal tally—seventeen golds, eighteen silvers, and twelve bronzes across World Championships, European Championships, and Olympic Games—illustrating a career built on consistency and peak performance.
- E-SPORTS AWARD: Mayichi, recognized as a pioneer for women in esports. She advocates for greater female participation in the gaming arena, helping to broaden access and visibility for women in a rapidly growing field.
- EVOLUTION PRIZE: Teresa Portela, a canoeist excelling in the calm water discipline. At 38 years old, she accumulated fifteen World Championship medals and seventeen European Championship medals, along with an Olympic silver medal from Tokyo 2020, underscoring a long, enduring career marked by perseverance and peak performances.
- BARCELONA 92 SPECIAL AWARD: Honouring the most influential women associated with the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games, who achieved medals across diverse disciplines and left a lasting legacy for the upcoming generations.
[Attribution: II Woman SPORT Awards collection and ceremony records]