famous spanish athletes
Famous Spanish Athletes
If somebody asks to mention names of famous Spanish athletes, it would be a long list. Here is a tribute to some of the eminent Spanish athletes who have really made their country proud.
Spain is a country which has been blessed with people with immense talent, especially in the fields of art and literature. Their contribution to sports has been no less significant. Spain has always been known to produce some of the greatest sportsmen the world has ever seen. Over the years, they have produced some of the greatest sportsmen in Rafael Nadal, Iker Casillas, Fernando Alonso, Raúl González, Àlex Corretja, Carlos Ferrero, and Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, to name a few. There have also been quite a few Spanish athletes, who have left their mark in the sport. Here's a look at some of the greatest Spaniards in the field of athletics.
Greatest Spanish Athletes of All Time
![]()
Marta Domínguez![]()
Eusebio Cáceres![]()
Mercedes Chilla![]()
Miguel Ángel López![]()
Mario Pestano![]()
David Martínez
Spain continues to contribute in the field of sports, and especially in athletics. With even more Spaniards taking to athletics, the future looks bright for sports in Spain. Dios bendiga a España.
- José Manuel Abascal
- Abel Antón Rodrigo
- Fermín Cacho Ruiz
- Reyes Estévez López
- Francisco Javier Gómez Noya
- Some Lesser-known Names
- Famous Names in Other Sports
José Manuel Abascal
Born on March 17, 1958, in Alceda, Cantabria, José Manuel Abascal was a 1500 m champion. He won the bronze medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics. He also won the silver medal in the 1987 IAAF World Indoor Championships. In his lifetime, he won the Spanish Championships five times, and set two National Records. In 1984, he was elected as the Best Athlete in Spain, by the Spanish Association of Sports Journalist. The following year, he was awarded "the Principe de Asturias" prize. According to him, "the only way to succeed is the force of will, sacrifice, perseverance and self discipline... and if this will be joined with a small dose of humility, simplicity and education, an excellent athlete can become a great athlete."
Abel Antón Rodrigo
Abel Antón Rodrigo was born on October 24, 1962, in Ojuel, Soria. He was a popular long-distance runner. He earned his first title at the 1994 European Championships, by winning the 10,000 meters. He won the gold in the marathon race at the 1997 and 1999 World Championships. In 1998, he became the first Spanish to win the London Marathon.
Fermín Cacho Ruiz
Born on February 16, 1969, in Ágreda (Spain), Cacho was the first Spanish runner to win the gold in the 1992 Summer Olympics. He was ranked 3rd in 1997 in the World Athletes List. He rose to fame in 1990, when he finished second in the European Indoor Championships (Glasgow). In the following year, he once again finished second at the World Indoor Championships (Seville). Some of his other achievements include getting the second place in the 1993 World Championships (Stuttgart), winning the 1994 European Championships (Helsinki), winning the silver medal in the 1997 World Championships (Athens), and winning the bronze medal at the 1998 European Championships (Budapest). Unfortunately, due to an Achilles injury, he couldn't participate in the 2000 Summer Olympics held in Sydney.
Reyes Estévez López
Born on August 2, 1976, in Cornellà de Llobregat (Spain), Reyes Estévez López started his career as an athlete at a very young age. He won two gold medals at the under-20 European Championships. He was also the winner of the 1998 European Championships (Budapest). In addition, he won bronze medals in the 1997 World Championships (Athens), 1999 World Championships (Seville), and 2005 European Indoor Championships (Madrid). He also won silver medals in the 2001 World Indoor Championships, and 2002 European Indoor Championships.
Francisco Javier Gómez Noya
Born on 25th March 1983, Francisco Javier Gómez Noya is one of Spain's most promising athletes. His greatest achievement was at the 2012 London Olympic Games, where he won the silver at the triathlon. He made his mark in 2008, when he won the ITU Triathlon World Championship; he repeated the feat in 2008, and finished in third and second place, respectively in 2011 and 2012. Javier has the unique distinction of having taken part in 57 ITU competitions, securing a place in the top ten on 54 occasions. He has to his credit 23 gold, 12 silver, and 4 bronze medals at these events, making him one of the greatest triathletes of all time.
[Back]
Other Lesser-known Athletes
Here's a list of some other athletes of yesteryear, and some bright and promising stars of tomorrow who have represented Spain in athletics.
Born - 3rd Nov '75
Sport - Steeplechase
Born - 10th Sep '91
Sport - Long Jump
Born - 19th Jan '80
Sport - Javelin Throw
Born - 13th Jul '88
Sport - Racewalking
Born - 8th Apr '78
Sport - Discus Throw
Born - 31st Jan '67
Sport - Discus Throw
[Back]
Famous Spanish Sportsmen
A lot of Spaniards have made vital contributions in various sports. Here's a list of some popular Spanish sportsmen.
Rafael Nadal
Sport - Tennis
Iker Casillas
Sport - Football
Pau Gasol
Sport - Basketball
Fernando Alonso
Sport - Formula 1
Miguel Indurain
Sport - Cycling
Raúl González
Sport - Football
Pedro Carrasco
Sport - Boxing
Javier Castillejo
Sport - Boxing
Alberto Contador
Sport - Cycling
Óscar Freire
Sport - Cycling
Joan Llanera
Sport - Cycling
Samuel Sánchez
Sport - Cycling
Francisco Gento
Sport - Football
Xavi Hernández
Sport - Football
Andrés Iniesta
Sport - Football
Fernando Torres
Sport - Football
David Villa
Sport - Football
Seve Ballesteros
Sport - Golf
Sergio García
Sport - Golf
Oriol Ripol
Sport - Rugby
Cédric Garcia
Sport - Rugby
Kane
Sport - Wrestling
Galo Blanco
Sport - Tennis
Sergi Bruguera
Sport - Tennis
Àlex Corretja
Sport - Tennis
Albert Costa
Sport - Tennis
Carlos Ferrero
Sport - Tennis
Andrés Gimeno
Sport - Tennis
Carlos Moyà
Sport - Tennis
Manuel Orantes
Sport - Tennis
Arantxa Sánchez
Vicario
Sport - Tennis
Emilio Sánchez
Vicario
Sport - Tennis
Javier Sánchez
Vicario
Sport - Tennis