Spanish Athletics League Shake-Up Intensifies Competition; Tenerife Sets Ambitious Goals

Spain's top athletics league, the Division of Honor, is set for one of its most competitive seasons in years, following a shake-up in the league's structure. According to Héctor González, president of Tenerife CajaCanarias, FC Barcelona's absence from the Joma and Iberdrola leagues means talent has been spread out more evenly among other clubs. This change, which González calls "challenging," sets ambitious goals for the island club's men's and women's teams.

The men's team, who finished fifth last season and are currently ranked seventh, has a clear goal: to reach the championship final. Key athletes like Yasiel Sotero, Jesús David Delgado, and Samuel García will be crucial. Samuel García, whose return has been confirmed, is training in South Africa and has already run an impressive 45.98 seconds outdoors, showing his dedication and top form.

The women's team, recently promoted after a strong finish last season, faces bigger challenges. Federation rankings place them 14th out of 16 teams, which should theoretically keep them in the league. However, González stresses that they will need to fight hard all season to stay up, given the long season and the risk of injuries.

A significant new signing is sprinter Lucía Carrillo from Burgos, who previously competed for Playas de Castellón. Her transfer was completed just before the deadline. Carrillo, an international athlete and a regular in Spain's national relay teams, is expected to make an immediate impact. The women's squad also includes experienced athletes like Lucía Morera, Lucía Curbelo, and Yissis Cortijo, alongside promising talent Paola Sarabia, who has already qualified for the senior Spanish Championship. Paola Valle and Yissis Cortijo are set to return as crucial players for the league's final stages after finishing their studies in the United States.

The 2026 season for Tenerife CajaCanarias officially kicked off on January 10th with the Canary Islands Cross Country Championship in Tegueste. This was followed by initial performance checks and indoor track events. The winter season has already seen a major success: Pablo Martínez won gold at the Spanish U23 Indoor Championship. The multi-event athlete became the national heptathlon champion with a personal best of 5,480 points, including an impressive high jump of 2.22 meters. The senior Spanish Championship, happening later this month, will be an important test for athletes like Samira Zarhloul, Lucía Curbelo, Lucía Morera, Paola Sarabia, and Carmen Ramos, before the Division of Honor leagues begin in late April.