Kirolgala 2021: May there never be a lack of applause for our athletes

The applause is a symbol of gratitude, gratitude, and homage. An action as simple as it is profound, which comes to vindicate the work of the recipient. And on Friday afternoon there were many and well-deserved ones in the Kirolgala that took place in the Patio de Tabakalera Hall and was presented by Maite Eskarmendi. Organized by the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, it served to remind us that we are in a unique territory, in terms of quality and quantity, in terms of sports talent. Both in individual and team sports, in media disciplines and in others that only appear on television every four years. All of them have a Gipuzkoan among the elite, a faithful reflection of the work carried out in Gipuzkoa from a very early age.

The mountain runner Maite Maiora and the paddler Ander Elosegi were the main protagonists after receiving the Gipuzkoa Kirolak Prize in the female and male category, respectively. Authentic references.

The mendaroarra reaches this success after 2021 in which it has been proclaimed Skyrunning world champion in the Sky Ultra Trail modality, repeating world glory five years later. The Gipuzkoan woman pointed out that it has been “a very special year” and she wanted to dedicate the award to her entire environment, which has always been there.

No less satisfied was the Irundarra, who collected the award after becoming the first Basque athlete to participate in four Olympic Games (Beijing, London, Rio and Tokyo). And not only that, but every time he has participated, he has returned with an Olympic diploma. Elosegi pointed out that “it is difficult, but Paris 2024 is there”, although he defended that “you have to go year after year.”

Along with Maiora and Elosegi, it was the judokas Unai Saralegi and Unai Reguillaga who took the stage to receive one of the awards at the gala. In this case, the Gipuzkoarren Kirola Award, which was decided by popular vote. The current champions of Spain and European runners-up of kata thanked “both the Judo Club Tolosa and the Guipuzcoana Judo Federation for their collaboration” in a year that has raised both their expectations and their demands for the next international events.

Before the culminating moment, the gala began with the recognition for clubs that have reached this year or the previous one – the pandemic prevented the Kirolgala from being celebrated in 2020 – a significant anniversary. Koldobike Olabide, mayor of Legazpi, delivered a painting to Xabier Aldama for the 75th anniversary of Ilintxa (in 2020); María Ubarretxena, mayor of Mondragón, to Jon Andoni Ormaetxea for the 75th anniversary of Arrasate Atletiko Taldea (in 2020); Txomin Sagarzazu, mayor of Hondarribia, to Naiara Salinas for the 50th anniversary of Hondarribia Futbol Elkartea; Mikel Serrano, mayor of Zumarraga, to Amaia Aranburu for the 50th anniversary of the Urola Sports Society; Manu Díaz, president of the Guipuzcoan Football Federation, to Agurtzane Elkoro for the 75th anniversary of UD Aretxabaleta; Antxon Etxeberria, Deba Sports Councilor, to Gaizka Ayastuy for the 75th anniversary of the Amaikak Bat; and Marisol Garmendia, councilor for Economic Boost of the San Sebastián City Council, to Pío Agirre for the 125th anniversary of the Real Club Náutico de San Sebastián.

The olympic appointment

A good part of this year’s multisport success has been marked by the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. An event that featured a large representation of Gipuzkoans, who even returned to the territory with a medal in their suitcase. All of them received in Tabakalera the tribute of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa. In the Patio Room the cyclist Gorka Izagirre, the paddler Maialen Chourraut, the footballers Mikel Oyarzabal and Martín Zubimendi, the javelin thrower Odei Jainaga and the swimmers Iñigo Llopis and Nahia Zudaire were summoned. All of them received a gift from the ex-cyclist Abraham Olano and the director of Sports Goizane Álvarez. There was also a memory for a handful of athletes who could not attend the gala, such as Ion Izagirre, Ane Santesteban, Clara Azurmendi, Iñigo Peña, Julen Aguinagalde or Teresa Errandonea.

Stories that have had an important following by the press, especially the sports press. Iñaki Sagastume knows a lot about that, he got one of the great ovations of the gala thanks to an impeccable career and closely linked to sport. With cycling as the sport that has marked him the most, there are numerous distinctions that he has accumulated for his brilliant career. Sagastume valued the growth of sport in the territory and recalled that “in 1989 the first gala of the Gipuzkoa Sports Press was held. Arconada, Vilariño, Txema Olabazal and Zamora were the winners ”, leading athletes who have left a huge legacy. Of four athletes, “that has become a score because the level is impressive.”

And since sport also requires investment, the Kirolgala did not want to forget the companies that sponsor and collaborate with the sector. BMW Lurauto took home the ‘Sports Company’ award for this edition. Luis Miguel García, its manager, stressed that “sport brings people closer and helps integration.” And he put himself as an example: “Now it has been nine years since I moved to this city and through sports I have achieved an integration to be one more from San Sebastian.” He assured, in turn, that “we will continue to bring BMW closer to everyone from Donostia and Gipuzkoa.”

There was also time for the show at the Kirolgala. The performance of Sonakay and Verdini Dan-tza Taldea put the finishing touch to a great gala.