The Arrasate Sports Awards (AKS) 2026 have been presented, with the Geurea Rugby Team's female players and shearer-shepherd Mikel Velasco receiving the most votes from the citizens. Additionally, the City Council honored athlete Eneko Carrascal as the best athlete of the season and the Mondraitz Kirol Kluba as the best sports team.
The award ceremony, held in the Kulturola tunnel ahead of the San Juan festivities, gathered numerous athletes and representatives from local sports clubs. The event featured musical performances by Aratz Arenaza and Oier Aranegi.
Mondraitz Kirol Kluba celebrates a decade organizing the Arrasate-Udalatx mountain race. Initially created to fill a gap in local events, it has become a reference trail. They have focused on media visibility, offering live broadcasts on Goiena Telebista and ETB.
Eneko Carrascal was named the best athlete of the year. The Arrasatearra athlete won the Spanish Championship in short track at the end of February in Valencia, his career's biggest achievement. He also became runner-up in the Spanish Championship with Real Sociedad and will compete in the outdoor Spanish Championship in July.
The award for the best sports team, decided by popular vote, went to the Geurea Rugby Taldea girls, securing 45.5% of the votes. The team, composed of players from Arrasate, Elorrio, and Amorebieta-Etxano, recently became champions of the Basque League. Mondrate finished second with 27.2% of the votes.
The Citizen's Award was presented to shearer Mikel Velasco. The Basque selection participated for the first time in the World Shearing Championship in New Zealand, with Velasco being one of the chosen representatives. He is currently participating in another challenge abroad and sent a message of gratitude.
