Cieza natives Juan Antonio López Giménez and Eduardo López Giménez, both brothers and representing the Kiai Karate School of Cieza, attended the Shian Karate Awards Gala honoring the national legends of this great martial art as guests of honor.
Last Saturday, February 17th, the Shian Karate Awards gala honoring national legends took place at the Tryp Hotel in Guadalajara. The event was presided over by HM King Juan Carlos I, who said that karate "has been a constant in my life; I have felt and still feel like an athlete. Today I remember when I practiced it and I consider myself privileged to do so." He congratulated the mayor of Guadalajara for being chosen this year as the "European City of Sport." He also took this opportunity to inform the Japanese ambassador to Spain of the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
After that, it was Salvador Herraiz Embid's turn, the event organizer, who began his remarks by thanking His Majesty the King for his presence. Regarding the awards, he noted that they were based on three premises: they should be given to veterans who are still involved in the sport, they should focus on individuals beyond the federation or organization to which they belong, and they should have a career that reflects that of a karate master. The evening concluded with a dinner attended by around 100 people, and 15 masters from all over Spain were honored.
Photo from left to right Mr. Eduardo López Gimenéz, Mr. Juan Aº López Gimenéz, HM King Juan Carlos I, Mr. Salvador Herraiz Embid, organizer of the Gala, and Mr. Masashi Mizukami, Japanese ambassador to Spain.