The athlete María Pérez, the boxer Ayoub Ghadfa, the CD Sordos de Huelva, Unicaja Baloncesto, or Esquimo Dos Hermanas, among others, have been recognized at the Andalusian Sports Awards 2024, according to the jury’s decision for these awards, with which the Department of Culture and Sports distinguishes the most outstanding figures in the community every year.
At the awards ceremony, the ‘Best Female Athlete’ award will be presented to the Granada racewalker María Pérez, after winning the gold medal in the 20 km relay and the silver medal in the individual event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The award in the ‘Best Male Athlete’ category has been given to the Malaga boxer Ayoub Ghadfa, for the silver medal achieved in Paris 2024, in the +92 kg category.
The Minister of Culture and Sports, Patricia del Pozo, has congratulated the awardees in this edition, stating, «athletes who are a true example of effort, dedication, and overcoming challenges, and who have managed to bring the name of Andalusia, and Andalusian sports, to the podium of international competitions.» With these awards, she added, «we want to recognize the courage, determination, and greatness of giving your best and doing it with maximum competitiveness.»
The award for ‘Best Athlete with Disabilities’ has been given to two cyclists, the Cordovan Alfonso Cabello and the Almeria Pablo Jaramillo, for the silver medal won in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, in the C1-C5 Team Speed event.
On the other hand, the Almeria swimmer Anastasiya Dmytryv has been awarded the ‘Best Athlete with Disabilities’ award, for her results in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, where she won three medals, the gold medal in the 100m breaststroke SB8 and bronzes in the mixed 4×100 medley and 200m individual medley SM9.
The award for ‘Male Sports Promise’ has been given to the Malaga kiteboarder Rafael Montero, after achieving first place in the Under-19 Kitesurf World Championship, the Spanish Kitesurf Championship ABS, and the Andalusian Kitesurf Championship.
On the other hand, the recognition for ‘Female Sports Promise’ goes to the weightlifter from Huelva Lucía González, for achieving third place in the Junior World Championship 49 kg category and first place in the Junior World Championship, in the same category.
The award for the ‘Athlete with the Best Academic Record’ has been awarded to the archer from Huelva Marta Aznar, for her results in the Junior European Championship, where she won the individual gold medal and the team silver medal; and for the first place in the Cadet Spanish Championship; as well as for the academic results achieved, with a 9.7 average in 4th grade of ESO.
The recognition for the ‘Best initiative for prevention and fight against violence, racism, xenophobia, intolerance, and sexist attitudes or behaviors in sports’ has been given to the ‘Salvaguardia Program’ of the Andalusian Gymnastics Federation, which aims to ensure a safe, respectful, and discrimination-free environment within the practice of gymnastics, ensuring the well-being and protection of all its participants.
With the award for the ‘Best Male Team’, recognition is given ex aequo to the CD Sordos de Huelva and Unicaja Baloncesto de Málaga, for winning the European Deaf Futsal Championship and the Intercontinental Cup, Champions League, and Spanish Basketball Super Cup in 2024, respectively.
The award for the ‘Best Female Team’ has been given to the Agrupación Voleibol Esquimo Dos Hermanas Club, after reaching the semifinals of the Women’s Super League and being the fourth finalist in the Queen’s Cup.
The award for the «Best Sports Manager» has been given to the company Deporinter, for managing the Andalusian Cycling Tour since 1979, allowing it to survive and reach its hundredth year in 2025 (first edition in 1925).
Special Mentions
Finally, the jury has decided to give a special mention to the Almeria handball player Carmen Martín, for being one of the most relevant athletes in the world in her discipline. Also, all the Olympic and Paralympic athletes of Paris 2024 will receive a special mention for their significant participation in the Parisian event.
Likewise, a special mention has been decided to be granted to the Cadiz native Antonio Millán, father of sports law; and to Rocío Suárez, president of the Andalusian Federation of Sports for People with Intellectual Disabilities, for her excellent management at the helm of the organization.
