15-Year-Old Ana González Crowned Spanish U18 Race Walk Champion
Fifteen-year-old Spanish race walker Ana González secured the national U18 10-kilometre championship, affirming her rising potential in the sport.
A new star is rising in Spanish race walking: 15-year-old Ana González. She has just won the national Under-18 (U18) 10-kilometre championship, a significant achievement that highlights her remarkable potential. The competition took place last Sunday in Cieza, Murcia.
Representing Tenerife CajaCanarias, Ana completed the distance in 49 minutes and 23 seconds, beating Paula Elvira and Celia Ponga, who finished second and third respectively. This win follows her recent Canary Islands U18 record, which she set on January 31st at the Meeting Isla de Lanzarote. There, she shaved over four minutes off the previous best time, proving her dominance in the region.
Ana herself said her success comes from intense hard work and dedication, and she highlighted the support from those around her. She explained that the race started fast, and she stuck to her plan until the very end, when she sped up to secure the win. Her coach, Basilio Labrador, is a well-known figure in Spanish race walking, having competed internationally twenty times and reached world and European finals. He sees the medal as proof that Ana's training is on the right track. Labrador stressed that while the title is a great boost, it shouldn't create pressure. Instead, it should be seen as recognition of her discipline and competitive spirit.
Ana also pointed out the rising standard of athletics in the Canary Islands. She noted that more young people are getting motivated, leading to better results in national events. She hopes her victory will inspire other athletes in the Canary Islands, showing them that effort and discipline can help them achieve their own goals.