Díaz Ayuso premia al deporte madrileño con los Premios Siete Estrellas.

During an event held at the Real Casa de Correos, headquarters of the regional government, the president emphasized that sports, in addition to passion and values, are a «true preventive medicine that cares for both physical and emotional health.»

«We will continue to work with determination to expand our sports fabric, supporting federations, clubs, and athletes from our 179 municipalities,» highlighted Díaz Ayuso, who pledged to continue promoting physical activity in schools and institutes and to work on bringing major events that showcase Madrid to the world, such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the first NFL official game in Spain, or the Eurobasket 2029.

Nine categories

With these awards, the Madrid government publicly recognizes individuals or entities that have significantly stood out in the promotion, encouragement, and development of sports in the region in one of the nine categories that comprise them.

The mostoleño Fran Garrigós holds the top spot in the world judo ranking. In 2022, he became the European champion in Bulgaria and has won four medals in European and world competitions. Andalusian Carolina Marín won the gold medal in badminton at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics (2016), has been world champion three times and European champion seven times, in addition to being awarded the Prince of Asturias Sports Award. «She represents overcoming and commitment, with the courage of true athletes,» emphasized Díaz Ayuso about her career.

Toni Kroos is Germany’s most decorated footballer in history and one of the top five in international titles. In 2017, he signed with Real Madrid, with whom he has won five Champions League titles, as well as numerous Club World Cups and three UEFA Super Cups, among others.

And María Corbera is Madrid’s best female canoeist in history, with six world championship medals, eight European medals, and over 100 national medals. In 2023, she was awarded the title of best Spanish sportswoman of the year by the Spanish Olympic Committee.

Sport promotion and values

In the best sports entity category, the 2022 award went to the San Sebastián de los Reyes Hockey Club, and in 2023 to Hankuk International School. Many of Spain’s top hockey players, nine of them Olympic medalists, have belonged to this club, which currently has 430 players. Hankuk, on the other hand, boasts two Olympic medals, six World Championships, nine Grand Prix titles, and 47 European titles.

In 2022, the best promising athlete award went to trampoline jumper Ana Carvajal, who trains at the M-86 pool in the Community of Madrid. At 17, she became the European champion in the 10-meter platform event and won silver in synchronized diving. The same award in 2023 was given to basketball player Hugo González Peña, who made his debut in the ACB League with Real Madrid at 18 and won a silver medal in the U17 World Cup.

The municipalities of Morata de Tajuña (2022) and Móstoles (2023) have been recognized for their sports promotion efforts by local authorities, while the president of the Madrid Karate Federation, Antonio Torres, and the general director of Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll Running, Pedro Rumbao, received the award for private sector promotion.

In the Values category, the jury highlighted the work of Pedro Gil, founder of the El Rayo Boxing Club, where more than 15,000 people have trained, including Javier Castillejo, and Helios Hidalgo, a basketball player from Real Canoe who, at 13, has shown his ability to overcome leukemia. «He represents an example of overcoming, love for sports, and life,» emphasized Díaz Ayuso.

The Alcohol and Society Foundation was honored with the 2022 Sportsmanship Award, which was also awarded to Sito Carcavilla in 2023, who has conquered three eight-thousanders and completed 17 expeditions in the Himalayas. Paralympic athlete Audrey Pascual (San Sebastián de los Reyes), who has excelled in disciplines such as adapted skiing, and the Carmen Pardo-Valcarce Foundation (A LA PAR), have been designated as Inclusive Sports awards.