El Salvador’s 2025 Sporting Revolution: A Year of Historic Achievements
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El Salvador experienced a landmark year in sports in 2025, marked by unprecedented international success and the emergence of a new generation of athletic stars. From historic gold medals to consistent regional progression, the nation’s athletes delivered a year to remember, solidifying El Salvador’s growing presence on the global stage.
A Year of Regional Progress
The year saw El Salvador achieve notable results in major regional competitions. The country finished a strong fourth at the Central American Games in Guatemala 2025, narrowly missing a podium finish, and secured tenth place at the Bolivarian Games. These performances confirm a sustained upward trajectory for Salvadoran sport.
Ivonne Nóchez: The Reigning Queen of Speed Skating
Among the most celebrated athletes of 2025 was Ivonne Nóchez, whose exceptional performance in speed skating captivated the nation. Nóchez became the country’s standout athlete after winning two gold medals at the World Games in Chengdu, China, in the 100-meter sprint and 200-meter finish events – a first for a Salvadoran woman.
Her success continued with two silver medals at the Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, four gold and two silver at the Central American Games, and a gold medal at the Bolivarian Games, adding to her impressive tally of achievements.
In December 2025, Nóchez was honored with the Golden Effort and Glory Award (Golden E&G) by the National Sports Institute of El Salvador (INDES). This historic recognition made her the first athlete to receive the award for a fourth time, accompanied by a financial bonus recognizing her consistent dedication and medal-winning career.
Silver Linings and Rising Stars
Beyond Nóchez’s dominance, other Salvadoran athletes shone brightly. Sofía Paiz secured a silver medal at the World Archery Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, in the compound bow modality. Paiz’s remarkable run to the final, where she lost by a single point to world number one Andrea Becerra of Mexico, marked a pivotal moment for Salvadoran archery.
In adapted sport, Herbert Aceituno reaffirmed his status as a world leader by winning a silver medal at the 2025 World Parapowerlifting Championships in the -54 kilogram category, bringing international recognition back to El Salvador.
Tennis Triumph: Arévalo Makes History
Marcelo Arévalo achieved a career-defining moment in tennis, winning the doubles title at the Indian Wells Masters 1000 (BNP Paribas Open) alongside Croatian Mate Pavić in March. This victory made Arévalo the first Central American to claim the prestigious Californian tournament, considered one of the most important events on the ATP circuit outside of the Grand Slams.
The duo continued their success, winning the Miami Open weeks later, completing the “Sunshine Double” – a feat reserved for the world’s elite doubles teams. Arévalo’s performance cemented his position as a leading figure in doubles tennis and elevated El Salvador’s profile in international sport.
Guardados Strike Gold and Astorga Claims World Title
Beach volleyball witnessed a historic milestone as twin brothers Christopher and Yoel Guardado won gold at the tenth stop of the NORCECA Tour in Managua, Nicaragua, in November 2025. Their 2-0 victory over Mexico marked El Salvador’s first men’s gold medal on the NORCECA Tour, a highly competitive regional circuit.
In May, Christopher André Astorga Melgar became a world champion at the World Cadet Taekwondo Championships in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, winning gold in the -49 kilograms category. This victory represented the first kyorugi (combat) world title in any age category for El Salvador, signaling a new era for the sport in the country.
A Chorus of Successes
The year also saw strong performances from Grecia Mendoza in artistic swimming, with five gold and one bronze medal at the Central American Games, and Yasmín Abigail Henríquez in kickboxing, securing golds at both the Central American and Bolivarian Games.
Other athletes who made their mark included Jorge Merino (karate), Pablo Ibanez (athletics), Fernando Reyes (triple jump), Mihail Salmeron (fencing), judokas Jairo Moreno and Diego Cálix, surfer Bryan Pérez, and archers Andrés Hernández, Héctor Ramos, and Óscar Ticas.
El Salvador concluded the Bolivarian Games with a total of 27 medals, showcasing contributions across badminton, karate, kickboxing, weightlifting, wrestling, skating, archery, and sports shooting.
With these remarkable results, 2025 stands as one of the most productive years in recent Salvadoran sporting history, laying a strong foundation and fostering high expectations for continued success in 2026. The near-miss of a Central American Games podium finish remains a motivating challenge for national sport as it looks to build on this momentum.
