Spanish Royals Honor National Sports Champions of 2023 and 2024 at Prestigious Ceremony
Spanish Royals and government officials honored top athletes and organizations at the National Sports Awards for achievements in 2023 and 2024.
- • Rodrigo Hernández and Aitana Bonmatí won the top sports awards for 2023 for outstanding football achievements.
- • Álvaro Martín and María Pérez were recognized for their historic Olympic gold medals in 2024.
- • Youth athletes Iyana Martín and Awa Fam received awards for exceptional under-18 performances.
- • Disability sports contributions were honored, including CERMI and paralympian Ricardo Ten.
Key details
The National Sports Awards ceremony for 2023 and 2024 took place at Madrid's Palacio de El Pardo, presided over by Their Majesties the Kings of Spain, with the attendance of Minister Milagros Tolón and José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, President of the Higher Sports Council (CSD). Established in 1982, the awards recognize outstanding achievements and contributions in Spanish sports, both in competition and promotion.
Top honors for 2023 went to football stars Rodrigo Hernández “Rodri” and Aitana Bonmatí. Rodri was celebrated for his exceptional year with Manchester City, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, and the UEFA Nations League with Spain, culminating in a Ballon d’Or nomination. Aitana Bonmatí secured the FIFA Women's World Cup with Spain and multiple club titles with FC Barcelona, including the Champions League, earning her first Ballon d’Or.
For 2024, athletes Álvaro Martín and María Pérez were awarded for their historic performances at the Paris Olympics, winning gold in the mixed relay and medals in the 20km walk. Youth awards recognized basketball talents Iyana Martín and Awa Fam as best under-18 athletes for 2023 and 2024, respectively.
The Premio Infanta Sofía highlighted efforts in Paralympic and disabled sports, awarded to CERMI and notable Paralympian Ricardo Ten. The Spanish women's football team received the Copa Barón de Güell as the best team of 2023. Additionally, the towns of Gandía and Tarragona, alongside universities and individuals, were recognized for their commitment to sports promotion and development.
This ceremony reaffirms Spain’s dedication to celebrating excellence across all facets of sport, honoring both individual athletic feats and community and institutional support that elevate the nation’s sporting spirit.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (2)
Source comparison
Awards recipients
Sources report different recipients for the 2024 awards.
lamoncloa.gob.es
"In the highest category, footballers Rodri and Aitana Bonmatí, along with athletes Álvaro Martín and María Pérez, were honored as the best Spanish sportspeople of their respective genders."
csd.gob.es
"In the 2023 awards, footballers Rodrigo Hernández 'Rodri' and Aitana Bonmatí received the highest honors, while athletes Álvaro Martín and María Pérez were recognized in 2024 for their historic Olympic achievements in Paris."
Why this matters: Source 310445 mentions that Álvaro Martín and María Pérez were honored for their achievements at the 2024 Paris Olympics, while Source 310444 includes additional awards such as the Premio Princesa Leonor and Premio Infanta Sofía, which are not mentioned in the first source. This discrepancy affects the understanding of who was recognized at the event.