Boyacá’s Sporting Elite Honored at 2025 ACORD Gala in Tunja
The sporting community of Boyacá gathered in Tunja on Thursday, April 9, 2026, for a high-profile ceremony hosted by the Asociación Colombiana de Periodistas Deportivos (ACORD Boyacá). The gala served as the official recognition of the region’s most dominant athletes from 2025, celebrating a year defined by international breakthroughs and podium finishes.
The event, which brought together athletes, officials and institutional leaders, focused on honoring the discipline and projection of regional talent. From Paralympic milestones to conventional sport dominance, the awards highlighted how Boyacá continues to punch above its weight on the global stage.
Daniela Carolina Munévar Named Best Athlete of the Year
The night’s most prestigious honor, the award for Best Athlete of the Year, was presented to Daniela Carolina Munévar. A powerhouse in Colombian paracycling, Munévar has established herself as a primary reference point for the sport, earning the maximum accolade for her sustained excellence and results throughout the 2025 season.
The ceremony also placed a significant emphasis on the growth of Paralympic sports in the region. Sara Valentina Salinas and Zharith Alejandra Rodríguez were both recognized for their continental achievements, underscoring the depth of talent within Boyacá’s adapted sports programs.
The ACORD de Oro: Excellence in Conventional Sports
In the conventional sports category, the prestigious “ACORD de Oro” was awarded to three athletes who delivered standout performances in world championships and the Bolivarian Games. The recipients included judokas Edwin Gómez and Gerardo Restrepo, alongside swimmer Laura Sofía Melo.
For many in the crowd, the highlight of the evening was the recognition of Melo, whose 2025 campaign became a benchmark for swimming in the region. (For those unfamiliar with the ACORD awards, these honors are determined by the association of sports journalists, making them a peer-reviewed mark of prestige in Colombian athletics.)
Spotlight: Laura Sofía Melo’s Dominance in Peru
Hailing from Duitama, Laura Sofía Melo Barrera transformed into one of the faces of Colombian swimming during the 2025 Bolivarian Games held in Ayacucho, Peru. Melo’s performance in Peru was nothing short of historic, as she secured three gold medals in a display of versatility and endurance.
Melo conquered three distinct events to claim her triple-gold status:
- 200-meter individual medley (combinado)
- 50-meter backstroke (espalda)
- 400-meter individual medley (combinado)
Her success in Ayacucho was not a matter of chance but the result of years of physical preparation and mental fortitude. By dominating these diverse distances and strokes, Melo has solidified her position as a leading figure in the pool and an inspiration for the next generation of swimmers in Boyacá.
The Next Generation: Breakout Stars and Future Promises
Beyond the established veterans, ACORD Boyacá used the gala to identify the athletes poised to lead the region in the coming years. Erika Tatiana Torres received the “Deportista Revelación” (Breakout Athlete) award following a brilliant season in international athletics.
the “El Futuro es Hoy” (The Future is Today) category was awarded to Paula Stefany Tejedor, recognizing her as one of the most promising young talents currently emerging from the department.
Summary of 2025 ACORD Boyacá Honors
| Award Category | Winner(s) | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Best Athlete of the Year | Daniela Carolina Munévar | Paracycling |
| ACORD de Oro | Laura Sofía Melo | Swimming |
| ACORD de Oro | Edwin Gómez & Gerardo Restrepo | Judo |
| Breakout Athlete | Erika Tatiana Torres | Athletics |
| The Future is Today | Paula Stefany Tejedor | TBD |
The 2025 awards cycle underscores a period of significant growth for Boyacá, particularly in the realms of swimming and paracycling. As these athletes transition into the next competitive cycle, the focus now shifts to maintaining this momentum on the world stage.
The next major checkpoint for these athletes will be the upcoming international qualifying events and championship circuits for the 2026 season. Stay tuned to Archysport for further updates on Boyacá’s sporting trajectory.
Do you think Boyacá is becoming the fresh powerhouse of Colombian swimming? Let us know in the comments.
