Club Naco Honors 2025 Athletes of the Year in Santo Domingo Celebration
The sporting community in Santo Domingo gathered for a high-energy celebration as Club Naco officially named its Athletes of the Year 2025. In a ceremony held to a full house in the club’s main hall, the Board of Directors recognized a select group of standout performers whose achievements in local and international competitions defined the previous year.
Leading the honors were Valentina Esteban Rijo, Camila Rodríguez, Mía Lugo Valdez, and José Brache. These four athletes were distinguished for their exceptional dedication and results, representing the pinnacle of the club’s athletic program across swimming, judo, and gymnastics.
The Top Honors: 2025 Athletes of the Year
The Board of Directors selected the primary awardees based on their dominance in their respective disciplines throughout 2025. For the women, the honors were split among three disciplines:
- Valentina Esteban Rijo was recognized for her excellence in swimming.
- Camila Rodríguez earned the title for her performances in judo.
- Mía Lugo Valdez was honored for her achievements in gymnastics.
On the men’s side, José Brache was named Athlete of the Year for his success in judo. In a poignant moment during the ceremony, the award was accepted by Brache’s father, as the athlete himself was in Brazil at the time of the event.
The atmosphere of the evening was described as one of fraternity and friendship, featuring a giant screen with animations that highlighted the winners’ journeys. The presentations were handled by club directors Luis Brea, Madelaine Andino, Erick Hernández, Claudio Guzmán, and Michael Alfaro. Specifically, Claudio Guzmán, the board’s treasurer, presented the award to gymnast Mía Lugo Valdez.
A Broad Spectrum of Sporting Excellence
While the “Athlete of the Year” titles represent the highest individual honors, Club Naco used the event to reward a wide array of talent across various age groups and sports. The club’s commitment to youth development was evident in the extensive list of other award winners:
Combat and Precision Sports
In addition to the primary honors, the club recognized excellence in judo and chess. Camila Rodríguez and José Brache were reaffirmed as the top performers in female and male judo, respectively. In chess, the honors went to Aila Hernández Reynoso and Luis Castillo.
Ball and Field Sports
The youth divisions saw significant recognition across baseball, basketball, and football:
- Baseball: Daymond García was honored in the 7-8 year old category, while David Risk took the award for the 11-12 year old group.
- Basketball: Dilan Cepeda and Rafael Ramírez were recognized in the minor and development categories.
- Football: Sebastián Lluberes was honored in the youth category, and Yosep Cuevas Pujols was recognized for the U-15 division.
Golf and Gymnastics
The club also highlighted achievements on the green and in the gym. Sara Sabillón Méndez was named the top female golfer, while Jorge Peña Soto earned the honor for the men’s division. Mía Lugo Valdez was again recognized for her contributions to gymnastics.
Leadership and Club Governance
Mario Alvarez Soto, President of the Board of Directors and a recognized figure in sports, delivered a message of congratulations to the athletes, their parents’ associations, coaches, and directors. He urged all athletes to continue representing both the “tricolor flag” of the Dominican Republic and the colors of Club Naco with pride.
Beyond the athletic celebrations, Alvarez Soto used the platform to address the club’s membership regarding upcoming administrative milestones. He called upon members to attend the upcoming General Assembly this Sunday and encouraged them to exercise their right to vote in the club’s elections, which are scheduled for Sunday, April 26, 2026.
Key Award Summary: Club Naco 2025
| Athlete | Sport | Award Category |
|---|---|---|
| Valentina Esteban Rijo | Swimming | Athlete of the Year 2025 |
| Camila Rodríguez | Judo | Athlete of the Year 2025 |
| Mía Lugo Valdez | Gymnastics | Athlete of the Year 2025 |
| José Brache | Judo | Athlete of the Year 2025 |
The event serves as a benchmark for the club’s athletic trajectory as it moves into the second quarter of 2026, balancing the celebration of past success with the democratic processes of its internal governance.
The next confirmed checkpoint for the organization is the General Assembly this coming Sunday, followed by the club elections on April 26.
