La Luchada Institucional por el Día de Canarias Clausura en Fuerteventura la II Semana Canaria de Deportes Tradicionales

The vibrant celebration of the Luchada Institucional por el Día de Canarias took place this past Friday in the Terrero Manuel Mederos “Pollo Apolinario I” in Pájara, Fuerteventura. This grand event served as the fitting conclusion to the II Semana Canaria de Deportes Tradicionales, an initiative launched by the Government of the Canary Islands. Through the Consejería de Educación, Formación Profesional, Actividad Física y Deportes, this program successfully brought traditional Canarian sports to schools and public spaces across the islands.

A Show of Commitment

The event was attended by notable figures, including the President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, who was accompanied by the Vice-Minister of Physical Activity and Sports, Ángel Sabroso, and the Director General of Indigenous Sports, Lorena Hernández, among other authorities. This gathering reaffirmed the commitment of the Canarian government to preserve and promote traditional sports, marking a significant moment in the identity of the archipelago.

Traditional Luchada: A Unique Format

This year presented a new format for the luchada, distinguishing itself from the traditional inter-island matchups. Instead, the event featured an official confrontation between the local team, CL Saladar de Jandía, and the CL Castillo del Romeral from Gran Canaria—this match was pivotal as it coincided with the last day of the regular phase of the Torneo DISA de Canarias de Primera categoría masculina. In an exhilarating bout, the home team triumphed over the Gran Canarian squad with a score of 12 to 10.

Notably, the evening also showcased three female wrestling challenges. Rising stars in the sport—Selene Cabrera, Miriam Arrocha, Yamilet Lorenzo, Sandra Sosa, Lucía Afonso, and Adriana González—engaged in gripping matches that highlighted the growing popularity of female wrestling across the cadet, youth, and senior categories. Victorious were Adriana González from CL Maninidra, Sandra Sosa from Unión Tetir, and Selene Cabrera from Chacaica Guanches.

Honoring the Sport’s Advocates

Prior to the luchada, the event featured institutional recognitions presented by the Federación de Lucha Canaria. A heartfelt tribute was extended to referee Enrique García Hernández, who concluded his professional career this season after dedicating his life to officiating matches in the archipelago.

Furthermore, the Distinctions of the Day of the Canary Islands 2025 were awarded to several individuals and organizations recognized for their unwavering commitment to the promotion and development of Canarian wrestling, as presented by various island federations.

Awards Highlight

Awards were given to:

• Luis Rodríguez Ramírez, for his support from the business sector in Fuerteventura.
• Eulogio Ramírez López, for his significant contributions as a referee and manager in Gran Canaria.
• Miguel Ángel García Reyes, honored for over thirty years of dedication in Lanzarote with CL Deportivo Tías.
• Romen Luis Castro (“Catire IV”), celebrated for his impactful legacy as a wrestler in Tenerife.
• Daniela Batista Padrón, a primary advocate for female wrestling in La Palma.

The II Semana de Deportes Tradicionales

The Luchada Institucional marked the end of a highly active week dedicated to showcasing and recognizing traditional sports within the Canary Islands. The II Semana Canaria de Deportes Tradicionales commenced the previous Saturday in the Gran Canarian municipality of Teror and continued with various activities throughout the week.

With a focus on promoting Canarian identity, the week featured educational sports initiatives that included school competitions in La Palma at the Instituto de Educación Secundaria (IES) Pérez Pulido, covering games like bola canaria, calabazo, and pelotamano. Additionally, a showcase of traditional sailboats was held in Gran Canaria at the Muelle Deportivo.

A Week of Celebration Across the Islands

The celebrations continued with a gathering of students on La Gomera, where they participated in demonstrations of traditional games around the Torre del Conde.

In Tenerife, exhibitions showcased disciplines such as cattle dragging and stone lifting at the Finca El Llano in Los Realejos, while students in Lanzarote engaged with local sailing traditions.

The week culminated with Garrote Canario workshops in El Hierro, leading up to the official luchada that closed the program of events organized by the Consejería de Educación, Formación Profesional, Actividad Física y Deportes.

¡Mes de Canarias!

Recognizing the importance of cultural heritage, the Month of the Canary Islands initiative was introduced this year to celebrate the diverse cultural, patrimonial, and social facets of the islands over an extended period rather than a single day. This exciting new approach provides an opportunity for all corners of the archipelago to engage with and appreciate Canarian culture.

For the second consecutive year, the Día de Canarias is being celebrated throughout the entire month, featuring over 75 varied activities across all islands under the theme of “Pride of Who We Are.”

Details for the programming can be found on the Government of the Canary Islands website, along with daily updates on their social media platforms.

Luchada Institutional: A Historic Moment

Televisión Canaria captured the excitement of the 39th Luchada Institucional del Día de Canarias, marking a historical moment as the event partnered with an official competition from the Regional Tournament of the First Category in its final regular round.

The match took place in Morrojable, Pájara, pitting the champion from Fuerteventura, CL Saladar de Jandía, against the champion from Gran Canaria, CL Castillo del Romeral. This bout was particularly significant, as it symbolized the convergence of cultural, athletic, and community spirit of the Canarian people, displayed through their treasured sport.

An Example of Female Empowerment

The event also included a new edition of the “Desafío de Luchadoras por Categorías,” featuring celebrated female wrestlers competing across various weight classes, showcasing the increasing prominence of women in this traditional sport.

With each passing year and event, the Federal Canaria de Lucha continues to elevate voices within the sport, honoring those who have contributed to its development and celebrating the unique cultural heritage embedded within Canarian wrestling.