Inside Dénia’s night of sporting success and celebration honouring local champions

Dénia’s sporting community came together for one of the most anticipated nights of the year as young athletics talent Saúl Delgado was named Best Sportsperson of Dénia 2026 during the city’s annual Gala de l’Esport.

Held in the packed Plaza de la Constitució on Friday June 19, the event celebrated the achievements, dedication and community spirit that have defined sport in the town over the past season. Athletes, coaches, clubs, volunteers, families and supporters gathered to recognise success across a wide range of disciplines.

A season to remember

Delgado, a member of the Club d’Atletisme Diànium, received the evening’s top honour following an exceptional year in combined athletics events. The Sub-20 athlete has enjoyed a standout season that has placed him among Spain’s most promising young competitors.

Among his achievements were winning the Spanish Under-20 decathlon title in 2025 and claiming the Spanish Under-20 indoor heptathlon championship earlier this year. He also represented Spain successfully at the International Spain-Portugal Trophy, where he helped secure victory for the national team while finishing as individual runner-up. His season was further strengthened by two regional runner-up finishes in the 400 metres and shot put.

The award was presented jointly by acting mayor Rafa Carrió and previous winner Nino Van der Zeeuw, adding extra significance to the moment.

Celebrating Dénia’s sporting community

While Delgado took the headline award, the gala recognised dozens of athletes, clubs, schools and organisations that contribute to local sport. Awards were handed out for sporting excellence, community involvement, youth development, inclusion and the promotion of healthy lifestyles.

The 2026 edition also introduced a more participatory approach, allowing clubs, organisations and residents to put forward nominations for several categories, helping to shine a light on achievements that may otherwise have gone unnoticed.

Sports councillor Valen Alcalà described the gala as an opportunity to publicly recognise the effort, dedication and perseverance of the people who help sport thrive in Dénia. The evening featured performances from local groups and concluded with a collective celebration of another successful year for the town’s sporting community.