The Lanzarote Summer Challenge 2022, International CrossFit Championship that has just been held in Arrecife, has already crowned its winners, the Madrid native Fernando Llaneza and the athlete from Guadalajara Andrea Valenciano in an incredible final in which the last seconds were decisive.
The day started at Playa del Reducto, with a spectacular image of clear skies and a devoted audience. On the sand, the athletes faced squats, lifts of more than 22 kilos of weight, running and burpees, one of the most demanding exercises, a combination of flexion on the ground and vertical jump.
The moment of the grand final arrived on the Islote de la Fermina. A challenge only suitable for the brave. The athletes in the RX category had to go around the Islote pool loaded with sandbags of up to 75 kilos, climb a rope four and a half meters high and demonstrate the greatest resistance by counting up to 100 double rope jumps. The fastest, Fernando Llarena and Andrea Valenciano.
The most exciting moment was experienced in the final challenge, trying to lift the greatest possible weight from the ground and over their heads. Spectacular duel starring the Canary Islander Alejandro de la Guardia, Gonzalo Carballo and the most international Lanzarote native, Bryan Hernández, who, encouraged by the public, did not stop adding kilos to his bar. Ovation and shouts from the stands when de la Guardia, who was competing with the other two by just two kilos difference, achieved the maximum of 112 kilos. The women were also impressive, in this case the ovation was for Ludivia Ortiz from Gran Canaria, who dedicated the 75 kilos that she managed to lift in the last five seconds of the clock to all those present.
Finally, the winner of the men's RX was Fernando Llaneza, followed closely by Bryan Hernández. In third position, the British Sam Robinson was classified. In RX female, undisputed winner Andrea Valenciano from Guadalajara, followed in second place by Teresa Pereira from Madrid and Ludivia Ortiz from Gran Canaria. Fernando Llaneza, was enthusiastic after his victory, "it is my first individual competition after several operations, I also always like to come to the Canary Islands, the atmosphere and the beach next door... I have been very comfortable in Lanzarote and I would not hesitate to repeat". Andrea Valenciano confessed to feeling "very happy, I came with expectations that have finally been met and I am satisfied. It is a spectacular competition, especially at the organizational level, and as soon as you finish you want to return because of the treatment we have had."
In the men's Scale category, the Canary Islander Aythami Oronoz prevailed. In the girls Liana González, from CrossFit V173 of Tenerife, climbed to the podium. The male winner in the Intermediate category was Adán Díaz, from the Good Training Gym team and the woman with the highest score was Sara Eburky, from CrossFit Anivia. In the Team category, the members of the Madrid Gymnastic team were proclaimed winners and in Team Master-35, Team Cartuchos Master.
Immediately after the competition, the awards ceremony took place with the presence of the Councilor for Sports of the Arrecife City Council, Rosmen Quevedo, the Councilor for Transportation and Mobility, Ángela Hernández, the Councilor for Public Works, Roberto Herbón, the Councilor for Sports of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Alfredo Mendoza, Roy González, representing the Cabildo of Lanzarote and María Martín, head of European Sports Destination product.
In the words of Rosmen Quevedo, Councilor for Sports of the Arrecife City Council, "we have a great value here, our bay, capable of hosting not only nautical sports, but also other tests on its avenue and of course the discipline of CrossFit has fit perfectly." Roberto Herbón, Councilor for Public Works of the Arrecife City Council, added that tests of this type "move a lot of companies, in addition to the large number of people who have passed through here." Ángela Hernández, Councilor for Mobility and Transportation of the Arrecife City Council, congratulated "organizers and participants, we must continue to promote this type of competition."
The Councilor for Sports of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Alfredo Mendoza, highlighted "the incredible follow-up of the test, not only here, where athletes and the public have been able to enjoy this incredible setting, but also through social networks, communication and streaming, exporting an extraordinary image of Lanzarote." For Roy González, representative of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, this eighth edition of the event "is a success, returning to enjoy the presence of the public has been exciting. From the Cabildo we are going to continue betting on this event and wishing it to continue growing".
María Martín, head of the European Sport Destination product, assured that "our brand seeks to turn the island into a leading sports tourism destination in the world. Through the professionalism of events such as the Lanzarote Summer Challenge, where its organizers pamper the experience in the destination and the harmony with the environment, this event becomes unique in the European calendar. Having an outdoor CrossFit event where we can show our attributes as a destination, the climate, the infrastructure we have and the unique landscapes help us to position ourselves."
Carmen Vicente, technical director of the Lanzarote Summer Challenge, summarized by assuring that "2022 is undoubtedly the best edition so far. Everything has been perfect, organization, participation, level... And next year will be much better."
