Barbastro hosted the second edition of the Powerlifting Initiation Cup on 8 November, featuring 37 athletes from across Aragón, as well as from Barcelona and Madrid, regions where powerlifting is particularly popular. The event took place at the Recinto Ferial due to ongoing renovations at the Pabellón Ángel Orús.
This competition, part of the calendar of the Spanish Powerlifting Association (AEP), attracted around 100 participants, including athletes, coaches, and supporters. It showcased the three main disciplines of the sport: squat, bench press, and deadlift.
The event follows the inaugural edition held last year and aims to raise awareness of powerlifting, which has about 30 regular practitioners in Barbastro. Local athletes performed notably well, with nine powerlifters from the area reaching the podium. Four competitors—José Ferrer (+120 kg), Natalia Vega (+84 kg), Geraldine Bedoya (-69 kg), and Alejandro Borruel (-120 kg)—secured first place in their respective categories.
Iván Trillo (-105 kg), Ariadna Navarro (-69 kg), and José María Calasanz (-120 kg) achieved second places, while Nicole Gómez (-84 kg) and Alejandro Puy (-105 kg) finished third, along with Geraldine Bedoya in the Absolute category.
Francisco Albert, the local councillor for sports, emphasised the significance of the event in Barbastro's sporting calendar, stating, "The celebration of this second edition demonstrates the interest in this discipline and the presence of clubs willing to organise competitions that attract athletes from other regions. The council supports all sports initiatives, recognising the efforts of the organisers in promoting the city and the benefits of physical activity. All sports matter, not just the mainstream ones."
Gabriel Tripiana from the Barbastro Powerlifting Sports Club highlighted the efforts made to continue the competition and hinted at the possibility of expanding the event to two days in future editions if participant numbers increase.
