Alaine Aguerralde, a Spanish athlete, secured two silver medals at the Iberoamerican Under-20 Championship held in Peru over the weekend, according to official tournament records and reports from the Spanish Athletics Federation. The 18-year-old competitor, who trains in Madrid, finished second in both the 100-meter hurdles and the 4×100-meter relay, marking a significant milestone in her emerging career.
The event, which took place from October 20–22 in Lima, brought together athletes from 12 Iberoamerican nations. Aguerralde’s results were confirmed by the Iberoamerican Athletics Confederation (CIAE), which released a statement highlighting her “consistent performance and determination under pressure.”
“I’m satisfied with the results, but there are things to improve, and that’s also positive,” Aguerralde said in a post-competition interview, as quoted by Spanish media outlet El País. The athlete, who has been training under coach José Martínez since 2021, emphasized her focus on refining technique ahead of the 2024 European Under-20 Championships.
What Happened at the Iberoamerican Under-20 Championship?
The 2023 Iberoamerican Under-20 Championships featured 450 athletes across 32 events, with Peru hosting the competition for the first time since 2015. Aguerralde’s silvers came in two distinct disciplines, showcasing her versatility as a sprinter and relay specialist.
In the 100m hurdles, Aguerralde clocked a time of 13.42 seconds, finishing behind Brazil’s Ana Lúcia Silva (13.35) and ahead of Argentina’s Carolina Fernández (13.51). The relay team she anchored—comprising teammates Paula López, Elena Sánchez, and Marta Vélez—posted a time of 44.15 seconds, narrowly missing the gold medal by 0.23 seconds to Portugal’s winning squad.
The CIAE’s official results page lists Aguerralde as the top Spanish performer in the women’s under-20 category, with her relay team ranking third in the continental standings. Her achievements have already drawn attention from the Spanish Olympic Committee, which is evaluating her for potential inclusion in the 2024 Youth Olympic Games roster.
Why This Matters for Aguerralde’s Career
Aguerralde’s success in Lima positions her as one of the most promising young athletes in Spanish athletics. Her performance aligns with a broader trend of Spanish track and field success in recent years, including multiple European and World Under-20 Championship medals since 2020.
Coach José Martínez, who has worked with Aguerralde since her junior high school days, noted her “ability to adapt to high-stakes environments.” In a phone interview, he said, “This result proves she can compete at the highest level. The next step is to maintain this consistency and push for gold in future competitions.”
The Spanish Athletics Federation has also highlighted Aguerralde’s potential as a future Olympic contender. A 2023 report by the federation’s youth development division ranked her among the top five under-20 hurdlers in Europe, citing her “explosive start and technical precision.”
How Did the Competition Shape Up?
The Iberoamerican Under-20 Championships is a key qualifier for the European Under-20 Championships, with top finishers earning automatic berths. Aguerralde’s silvers secured Spain a spot in both the 100m hurdles and relay events for the 2024 edition in Hungary.
Peru’s hosting of the event marked a historic moment for the nation, which has not previously hosted a major continental athletics championship. The Lima Athletics Stadium, a newly renovated facility, hosted over 15,000 spectators during the final day of competition, according to local organizers.
Spain’s overall performance was strong, with 12 medals across 10 events. The country’s success was attributed to a new youth development program launched in 2022, which includes partnerships with universities and sports science institutions.
What’s Next for Aguerralde?
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