Saturday, December 13, 2025, 8:32 p.m.
Gymnastics treasures the power that an entire pavilion cannot stop doing the wave after an hour of exhibition. More than 2,000 people packed the Mendizorroza Sports Center this Saturday and were dazzled by the 30th edition of the International Christmas Gymnastics Gala, organized by the Alavesa Gymnastics Federation (FAG) and sponsored by EL CORREO. If the definition of magic is the charm of producing supernatural results, what happened with more than a hundred athletes gathered yesterday can be considered art on the tapestry.
The park was invaded by plinths, bars, rings, asymmetric parallel bars, trampolines and other gadgets that left the spectators with their mouths open. If you ask how they do those spectacular jumps, fascinating choreographies and dazzling exercises, the magic formula disappears and the routine of training tirelessly appears.
Álava can boast of its talent for gymnastics. The spirit of the unforgettable Almudena Cid, Tania Lamarca, Estíbaliz Martínez and Lorena Guréndez is maintained in the figures of Maider Orbe, Izaro Calvo, Nahia González or Salma Solaun, brand new European team champion and double World bronze. Magicians of flexibility, harmony and rhythm.
There is no shortage of boys either. Unai Baigorri, who saw it all from the stands, Oier Ponti or Jon Rivera, the 15-year-old Ayalés who was honored along with his two coaches Elizabeth Anday Marga Armas after his three medals in the Spanish Championship. They jump over prejudices. The zenith of a gala in which there was also parkour was the performance of the Italian Alice Tagielitti, a World Cup finalist this year, with a control of the ball that not even the Calcio soccer players had. Although for the highlight moment, the Belesar club’s inclusive aerobic gymnastics exhibition. An integrative and enchanting sport.
