The mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolón, and the sports councillor, Diana Box, have honoured local athletes Ander Martín and Esther Briz from the Real Club Náutico Torrevieja (RCNT) for their remarkable victories at the European Beach Sprint Championship, held on 17 September in La Línea de la Concepción, Cádiz.
During the reception, they were joined by the president of the club, Carlos Carmona. Both athletes secured gold medals in their respective individual events, adding to the club's impressive international record.
Dolón praised the athletes, stating, “It is a source of pride for Torrevieja to have sportspeople like Ander Martín and Esther Briz, who embody effort, perseverance, and the ability to overcome challenges. These European titles are a recognition of countless hours of training and a career that deserves our congratulations and gratitude.”
The mayor also highlighted the positive impact of their achievements on the city, thanking them for representing Torrevieja and the RCNT on the international sports stage. “Your successes bring joy to the entire city and serve as an example for young people starting in sports, who see you as role models,” he added.
Two european titles enhancing a distinguished record
Ander Martín claimed the men's individual European championship after defeating competitors from Switzerland, Germany, and Finland, improving upon his silver medal performance in Turkey in 2025. His impressive career includes five gold and two bronze medals in world ocean rowing, two golds and one silver in European competitions, as well as two titles at the Mediterranean Games and over thirty medals in Spanish championships.
Esther Briz became the European champion in the women's individual event by overcoming the defending champion from Austria in the final. She had previously defeated a Portuguese rower in the quarter-finals and a British competitor in the semi-finals. Briz's accolades include two world titles in both junior and senior conventional rowing categories, four world titles in ocean rowing and Beach Sprint, sixteen Spanish championships, and an Olympic diploma from Paris 2024. This year, she also made history by becoming the first Spanish woman to win the Boat Race with Oxford.
Next goal: world championship and the 2028 olympic horizon
The next challenge for both athletes will be the Beach Sprint World Championship, scheduled to take place from 18 to 20 October in Qingdao, China, as they prepare for the Olympic debut of this discipline at the Los Angeles 2028 Games. During the reception, Dolón also acknowledged the efforts of the RCNT, extending his congratulations to Carlos Carmona and the entire RCNT family for their commitment to training and supporting athletes, emphasising that “behind each medal are also coaches, teammates, and families who share the effort and make these successes possible.”
