The Cabildo of La Gomera celebrated the III Sports Gala, where Marco Rodríguez, Estela Guerra, the Club Colombófilo Gomera, and Sebastián Castilla were recognised for their contributions to local sports.
The Cabildo of La Gomera held the III Sports Gala yesterday, an event that acknowledged the trajectory, commitment, and values of athletes, clubs, and entities that promote physical activity on the island. The event brought together representatives from the sports, institutional, and social sectors, as well as family and friends of the awardees, in an evening designed to highlight sport as a tool for cohesion, overcoming challenges, and promoting healthy habits.
Marco Rodríguez and Estela Guerra, Best Individual Athletes
The award for Best Male Individual Athlete went to Marco Rodríguez, for his outstanding career in trail running, vertical kilometre, and skyrunning. Between 2025 and 2026, he achieved victories, records, and podium finishes in events such as the Meridiano Marathon, Gomera Paradise Trail, and regional championships, in addition to competing with notable results in prestigious events like Transgrancanaria, Transvulcania, Zegama, and the Skyrunner World Series.
In the female category, Estela Guerra, a Gran Canarian residing in La Gomera, was recognised as Best Female Individual Athlete. She has been the Canary Islands Champion of Vertical Kilometre in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2026, and regional runner-up in Sky in 2025. Her results also include victories in the Meridiano Marathon, Gomera Paradise, Reventón Trail El Paso, Transvulcania, Transgrancanaria, Zegama, Entrecortijos, Trail San Marcos, and the San Silvestre of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Club Colombófilo Gomera, Best Collective Award
The award for Best Collective was granted to the Club Colombófilo Gomera, for its work in promoting and maintaining pigeon racing as a sporting modality with roots and tradition in La Gomera. Founded in 1957 in San Sebastián de La Gomera, the club has maintained continuous activity for decades, both in the sporting realm and in social and cultural dynamism, with a presence in exhibitions, pigeon racing events, school activities, and popular celebrations. Its trajectory includes significant milestones at regional, national, and international levels, with birds that have flown from the Canary Islands, Madeira, the open sea, and the African coast.
The president of the Cabildo, Casimiro Curbelo, highlighted that "this Sports Gala is an opportunity to recognise the work of Gomera athletes and their contribution to social well-being, the promotion of healthy habits, and the projection of the island both within and outside of the Canary Islands." He emphasised the importance of showcasing the existing talent across different modalities and ages, valuing not only sporting achievements, "but also the role that the awardees play as role models for Gomera society."
Sebastián Castilla, Sports Reference in Volleyball
Sebastián Castilla was distinguished as a Sports Reference for his career in volleyball, where he has excelled due to his dedication, consistency, and contribution to the team. His recognition also highlights his work as a teacher and his contribution to imparting educational and sporting values. Throughout his career, he has been a two-time champion of Spain, won a bronze medal at the Spanish Championship, was runner-up in the Prince's Cup, and has played seven seasons in Superliga 2. He has also achieved three promotions to the National First Division, numerous regional titles, and has been recognised twice as the best player in the Canary Islands. In the 2025/2026 season, he led Élite Voley as captain, achieving the championship in the promotion phase to the National First Division.
The General Director of Physical Activity and Sport of the Government of the Canary Islands, María Rojas, stressed that "the Sports Gala of La Gomera allows us to recognise not only sporting successes but also the trajectories of effort, overcoming challenges, and resilience behind each achievement." She valued the growing visibility of sport in the Canary Islands and the commitment of the Cabildo and the regional government to continue strengthening their institutional support.
The spokesperson for the awardees, Sebastián Castilla, stated that "it is an honour for all of us to receive this recognition, especially as it represents La Gomera outside our land. We come from a small island with few inhabitants but full of talent, and this is demonstrated year after year. Every time we step onto a podium, carrying the flag of our island has a very special meaning for us."
The gala also included honorary mentions proposed by the municipalities. In representation of Agulo, Álvaro Escuela was recognised for his career in trail running and mountain races, highlighting his victory in the 32 kilometres of the Gomera Paradise and his title as regional champion.
For the residents of La Gomera, this gala serves as a showcase of local talent and an injection of insular pride. The awardees are an example for the new generations who practice sports on the island, from trail running to pigeon racing, demonstrating that size does not matter when there is dedication.
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