Naiara Liñán's Taekwondo Scholarship Jumps to 15,000 Euros After Bronze Medal

Naiara Liñán has received a scholarship increase to 15,000 euros under Andorra's ARA high-performance programme, following her bronze medal at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto.

The taekwondo athlete, previously awarded 5,500 euros, gains an extra 9,500 euros after a season that also featured fourth place at the European Championships and silver at the Bosnia Open. This marks the largest rise in the new cycle. Secretary of State for Sport Alain Cabanes highlighted her potential, saying she is close to elite status but requires three or four more key results for consolidation. Sports Minister Mònica Bonell added that Liñán is demonstrating consistency season after season and is poised for promotion from the Promeses category.

The programme, presented yesterday by Cabanes and Bonell, now covers 150 athletes with 456,346 euros in grants—down from 626,106 euros last year—plus services through the new Proes orientation initiative, supporting athletes from early careers to retirement. Bonell noted plans to raise funding as budgets allow and expressed interest in revisiting options for retiring athletes to join special forces.

Other increases include mountain skier Oriol Olmos at 16,000 euros in Promeses, Max Palmitjavila at 12,000 euros (up over 4,500 euros), and para-alpine skier Roger Puig reaching 30,000 euros in the Elit category (up more than 8,000 euros). Joan Verdú and Mònica Doria remain at 32,000 euros, while cross-country skier Irineu Esteve holds at 27,000 euros during recovery. Mònica Doria, despite a world championship medal in Oklahoma, receives no extra grant as she is at the funding ceiling but qualifies for a one-off prize.

Mountain runner Arnau Soldevila gets 3,000 euros despite stepping away from the Andorran Mountaineering Federation calendar; Cabanes said discussions continue. Further programme details are pending.