### Recognizing Excellence in Baja California Sports
In a significant acknowledgment of athletic prowess, Alexis López, José Manuel Loyola, and Karina Martínez have been awarded the prestigious State Sports Award 2024 in Baja California. López, celebrated in the athlete category, is joined by José Manuel Loyola as best coach and Karina Martínez for adapted sports.
Additional honors were presented to Azumi Arenas in the youth category and Hermann Raciel in the children’s division. Omar Bermúdez was recognized as the best Judge/Referee, while Jessica Sánchez received the award for Promoter of Physical Activity. The selection ceremony took place on November 12 at Tijuana’s High Performance Center, hosted by Laura Marmolejo Toscano, the Director-General of the Baja California Sports Institute (INDE). The awards ceremony followed on November 14 at the Country Club of Mexicali.
For athlete Alexis López, this marks his second award, having previously been honored in 2018. His recent achievements include competing in the Paris Olympic Games alongside Miguel Carballo, achieving Mexico’s best ever time in the double scull lightweight rowing category with 6:25.84. Previously, López secured gold medals at the Pan American Games in Santiago 2023 and Lima 2019, along with numerous national and world championships.
In the sports awards categories, Alexa Moreno and Martha Sandoval were notable mentions, following López’s triumph. In the coaching category, Paulo Salas and Pavel Oceguera took second and third place, respectively. For Paralympic sports, Karina Martínez from Boccia clinched first place, trailed by Karen Rocha and Francisco Zacarías.
Prize money for first-place winners will be 200,000 pesos, an increase from the previous year, with second place receiving 50,000 pesos, and third, 20,000.
### Spotlight on National Sports Achievements
Across the nation, outstanding Olympians dominated the National Sports Award. Recipients include diving representatives Osmar Olvera and Juan Celaya, judoka Prisca Awiti, and boxer Marco Verde, all recognized in the Non-Professional Sports category with awards of approximately 796,000 pesos.
The Paralympic honors were awarded to Gloria Zarza and Juan Pablo Cervantes, while professional sports accolades went to soccer player Charlyn Corral. In the coaching arena, Radamés Hernández, Iván Rodríguez, and Martín Velasco received recognition. Lifetime achievement awards were given to diver Alejandra Orozco and wrestler Daniel Aceves.
The national award ceremony is scheduled to happen shortly before November 20 and will serve as one of the first major events for President Claudia Sheinbaum with the sports community.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights at TJGringo.com, where we celebrate the achievements and passion of athletes from Baja California to the broader national stage.