Paula Arcos enjoyed one of the brightest moments of her life last summer when national coach Carlos Viver named her to the final roster aimed at qualifying for the Tokyo Olympic Games. Since then, the Petrer native, now 20 years old, has not ceased growing and collecting achievements, delivering a season that felt like a dream realized.
She emerged as one of the standout revelations for the Spanish team at last December’s World Cup hosted on home soil. Her performances earned her the MVP award in a vote conducted by the coaches, a distinction that marked her as one of the season’s most influential players. In that same period, Arcos faced a notable obstacle as she went head-to-head with Malaga goalkeeper Merche Castellanos, the most formidable rival in the form of a goalkeeper who challenged her throughout the league campaign.
Alicante’s Mecalia Atlético Guardés concluded its stint in Galicia by signing with the reigning Spanish League champions, Super Amara Bera Bera, signaling a new chapter for Arcos as she prepared to transition to the next phase of her career.
Coach José Ignacio Prades later took a personal break from the intense rhythm of the year and did not include Arcos in the squad for the Mediterranean Games, which were set to begin the following Saturday in Oran, Algeria. The pause offered the young player time to regroup and refocus away from the national team duties.
Back home in Petrer, Arcos has been restoring strength and balance, choosing to savor the summer with family and friends before joining her new club responsibilities. By late July, she was preparing to relocate to San Sebastian to begin with her new team, Bera Bera, ready to make a fresh impact.
Reflecting on the past months, the Petrer athlete describes a powerful sequence of emotions and experiences that have culminated in a forward-looking optimism. It has truly been a remarkable season, she notes, one that brought with it both excitement and growth as a player and as a person.
Arcos admits that the MVP recognition came as a surprise, highlighting the joy of the season rather than any sense of entitlement. She recalls competing alongside a teammate and rival in Merche Castellanos, acknowledging the high level of performance that defined the league campaign and the pride of fitting into such a distinguished cohort of players.
For her, the successes she achieved at a young age are better viewed as motivation rather than obligation. She emphasizes that the best results come when one plays for the love of the game and for personal improvement, not merely to meet external expectations. Each positive moment is treated as a bonus that fuels further development.
With eyes set on the near future, Arcos feels privileged to be counted among the elite in Spanish and international handball. She believes the achievements are the fruit of years of hard work and persistence, reinforced by the conviction that diligence can yield results regardless of age. The idea is clear: sustained effort can lead to opportunities, whether one is 20 or 30 years old.
Looking ahead to the next season, Arcos plans to take the court with a team ready to go all out. November holds a key milestone with the European Championship in Slovenia, North Macedonia, and Montenegro, where the aim is to integrate smoothly with teammates and the coaching staff. The goal is to establish a strong physical and mental comfort, maintain the intensity she has brought to Atlético Guardés, and push toward a standout European Championship appearance. Beyond the calendar, the young Petrer native intends to recharge by spending time with family and exploring personal interests, letting rest and renewal sharpen her focus for another demanding season. The plan is simple: keep evolving, embrace fresh challenges, and continue moving toward peak performance for the best possible chapters ahead.