Gisela Bonomi, a reference in beach handball and a key player in the Argentine National Team, was awarded the Pehuén de Oro Award. In a ceremony that brought together athletes, coaches, leaders, journalists and provincial and municipal authorities, first the Silver statuettes were awarded and at the end the grand prize arrived. The appointment was in Domuyo Convention Center, on Island 132.
The Neuquén athlete won the world title with Las Kamikazes during the Chengdu 2025 World Games, held in China. In addition, he achieved second place and a silver medal in the Global Tour 2025, held in Brazil, results that reflect his high competitive level and his fundamental contribution to the success of the national team.
Very excited, the winner of the Pehuén de Oro expressed: “First of all, I want to thank IFES and the circle of journalists for maintaining this tradition that fills us with so much emotion and recognizes the process and work of athletes, which is often very lonely.”.
He also thanked “all the athletes and congratulated them for their processes. For me it is a huge honor to be able to consecrate this award, the Pehuén de Oro, because it represents, for my discipline, a great advance.. We are already five generations of beach handball and I hope there will be many more.”
Codermatz: «Stories of defeats, triumphs, efforts»
During the award ceremony, the new Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Josefina Codermatz, said: “We are celebrating a party and, also, the history of sport. Stories of defeats, triumphs, efforts. So we are very grateful, from the Government of the Province, to be part of this space of recognition.”
“I want to leave you a greeting from our governor Rolando Figueroa, who always asks us to be close to the people, that we design concrete public policies, to be able to reach all young people with more opportunities, as well as to be able to address culture and youth,” he added.
Winners of the Silver Pehuén Award
Athletics: Giuliana Baigorria
Motoring: Nicolas Gonzalez
Badminton: Ruth Vicente
Basketball: Natassja Kolff
Boxing: Axel Isla
Boating: Matias Contreras
Cycling: Valentina Rosas
Equestrian Sports: Maximiliano Fernandez
Urban Sports: Manuel Turone
Soccer: Marianela González
Gym: Felipe Bruni
Golf: Nicolas Cabanillas
Hand: Gisela Bonomi
Hockey: Alexia Adem
Judo: Tomas Di Pascuale
Karate: Juan Paz Dovis
Motorcycling: Agustín Carrasco
Swimming: Iñaki Basiloff
Padel: Daiara Valenzuela
Skate: Franco Carrasco
Paddle Ball: Gaston Mutti
Rugby: Tomas Amusategui
Running: Veronica Galvan
Squash: Valentino De Rosa
Taekwondo: José Luis Acuña
Tennis: Isabel Arabarco
Archery: Stephen Silva
Volleyball: Fausto Inostroza
Furthermore, the award to sports revelation was for the tennis player Augusto Agüero y special mentions for Laura Poljak (skydiving), Camila Duschek (MMA fighter) and Paula Drazul (gliding).
Info and photos: Neuquén Informa
