Móstoles celebrated its 20th Sports Gala at the Teatro del Bosque, honoring a diverse group of national figures and local athletes who have shaped the city’s athletic identity. The event highlighted the municipality’s commitment to physical activity as it holds the title of Ciudad Europea del Deporte 2026, according to the local government. Organized by the Ayuntamiento de Móstoles through the Concejalía de Deportes y Sanidad, the ceremony was presented by journalists Rafael Sahuquillo and Jessica Figueroa.
National and International Figures Honored
The gala recognized several prominent figures for their contributions to the sporting world at a national and international level. The awards also recognized triathlete Eva Moral, a Paralympic bronze medalist in the PTWC event at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, for her role as a source of sporting inspiration, and former boxer Javier Castillejo for his high-performance career, having been Superwelterweight champion of Spain, Europe, and the world among other titles. Other national awardees included Coral Bistuer, recognized for her impulse as a former taekwondoin who won two medals at the World Taekwondo Championships in 1987 and 1991, and José Javier Hombrados, president of the Madrid Handball Federation and one of the great figures of the sport, who as a member of the Spanish national team achieved a gold and a bronze in the 2005 and 2011 World Championships respectively, and was distinguished as a sporting reference. Additionally, Juan Ignacio Gallardo, director of MARCA, was recognized for professional excellence.
Recognizing Local Athletic Achievements
In addition to national stars, the city turned its attention to local talent that has excelled in various disciplines. Sergio Ibáñez, a judoka in the –66 kg category and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic silver medalist, received the award for best male sporting career, while Almudena Álvarez, the 2024 Spanish Super Featherweight boxing champion, received the award for best female sporting career. The event also highlighted team and community efforts, awarding the AD Natación Móstoles for high competition and the Club Baloncesto Ciudad de Móstoles for promoting grassroots sports. The Asociación para la práctica del judo Móstoles was recognized for its work in adaptive and inclusive sports, and the AGAD Móstoles received an award for the promotion of female grassroots sports.
Institutional Support and Sporting Investment
Manuel Bautista presided over the ceremony, joined by the deputy mayors, the Councillor for Sports and Health Ángel Álvarez, representatives of the municipal government and corporation, and members of sports clubs, associations, and organizations of the city. The mayor emphasized that the city’s status as Ciudad Europea del Deporte 2026 is a direct result of the collective work of athletes, families, and local clubs, highlighting the role of sport as an element of union, self-improvement, and social transformation. During his address, the mayor noted that the municipal budget for sports has grown significantly, rising from 2.3 million euros in 2023 to over 3.5 million euros in 2025. This 62% increase in funding supports the more than 30,000 residents who participate in municipal programs annually. The city currently has 80,000 active holders of the Municipal Sports Card.
Community Contributions and Longstanding Clubs
The gala also served as a tribute to the community infrastructure that sustains local sports. Protección Civil de Móstoles received an honorary mention for its volunteer work. Furthermore, the event honored 16 local organizations that have been active for over 25 years, including the Agrupación Deportiva Ajedrez Móstoles, Club Patinaje Artístico Móstoles, and others, recognizing their contribution to the promotion of the sport and the training of generations of athletes.
Media Recognition
During the event, the newspaper MARCA, with motivo del 25º aniversario de la sección de radio, acknowledged several local athletes as illustrious mostoleños, including Raúl Campos, Eva Manguán, Rafa Martínez, and María Varo. The gala successfully highlighted the city’s athletic landscape and its designation as Ciudad Europea del Deporte 2026.
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