Estrella Santoyo: Spain’s Rising Sprint Sensation
Estrella Santoyo Fernández represents the emerging generation of Spanish sprint talent, having rapidly ascended from regional competitor to international prospect within just two years. At 18 years old, this Murcia-born sprinter has already broken multiple regional records and earned her first international selection for Spain, demonstrating the trajectory of an athlete poised for significant future achievements. Her remarkable progression from a 24.76-second 200-meter runner in December 2023 to a 23.77-second regional record holder just months later  illustrates both her exceptional talent and the effectiveness of Spain’s youth development programs.Under the guidance of coach Juan Carlos Abellán, Santoyo has established herself as one of Spain’s most promising young sprinters, with her recent qualification for the European Under-20 Championships marking a crucial milestone in what appears to be a career destined for greater international recognition.
Personal background and early development
Born on September 30, 2006, in Murcia, Spain, Estrella Santoyo Fernández began her athletic journey within the robust regional athletics system of the Federación de Atletismo de la Región de Murcia (FAMU). Her development occurred under the auspices of UCAM Atlética Alcantarilla, also known as Sociedad Atlética Alcantarilla, a club that accommodates approximately 200 young athletes across various track and field disciplines.
Her coaching relationship with Juan Carlos Abellán Barnés has been instrumental in her rapid development. Abellán, born April 15, 1982, in Barcelona, moved to Murcia at age 16 and transitioned from competing as a pole vaulter to coaching at the remarkably young age of 20. A former national-level competitor who achieved marks over 4.30 meters and earned the title of sub-16 Spanish vice-champion, Abellán founded Sociedad Atlética Alcantarilla nearly a decade ago with his wife. His expertise extends beyond individual coaching—he regularly serves as a national-level coach for the Spanish Athletics Federation (RFEA) and received the prestigious RFEA Stimulus Award in 2024, recognizing his contributions to Spanish athletics.
Athletic specialization and training regimen
Santoyo specializes in the sprint events, competing primarily in the 60 meters (indoor), 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4×100 meter relay. Her training base in Alcantarilla, Murcia, utilizes municipal facilities through agreements with the Alcantarilla City Council, providing access to quality track and field installations. The training environment emphasizes comprehensive athletic development, with Abellán’s coaching philosophy focusing on mental strength development and refusing to set limits for his athletes.
Her current personal best performances demonstrate consistent improvement across all her events. In the 200 meters, her signature event, she holds the regional record with a time of 23.77 seconds, achieved in July 2024. This performance not only broke regional sub-20 and absolute records but also qualified her for both the European Under-20 Championships (minimum standard: 23.92 seconds) and the Spanish National Championships. Her 100-meter personal best of 11.93 seconds and 60-meter indoor best of 7.52 seconds further demonstrate her versatility across sprint distances.
Career progression and major achievements
Santoyo’s career trajectory illustrates a remarkable acceleration from regional competitor to international prospect. Her breakthrough year was 2023, when she set the regional under-18 record in the 200 meters with a time of 24.76 seconds in December, breaking the previous record of 24.89 seconds held by Lidia Sánchez since February 2020.
The 2024 season marked her emergence on the national stage. In March, she competed in the Spanish National Under-20 Indoor Championships in Salamanca, finishing fourth in the 60 meters with a time of 7.52 seconds—a performance that narrowly missed the podium but demonstrated her ability to compete at the highest national level. Her major breakthrough came in July 2024 when she dramatically improved her 200-meter time to 23.77 seconds, a performance that established new regional records and qualified her for elite-level competition.
The 2025 season has been defined by international debut and continued improvement. Her selection for the Spanish national team marked a significant milestone, as she competed in the Spain vs. Portugal International Relay Meeting in Salamanca in June 2025. Racing alongside teammates Ariadna Montalbán, Alba González, and Carla Martitegui in the under-20 4×100-meter relay, the team qualified for the final with a time of 46.03 seconds in the semifinals before being disqualified in the final. Despite this setback, the experience represented a crucial step in her international development.
Competition record and notable performances
Santoyo’s competition record reveals consistent progression and breakthrough performances. Her World Athletics ranking of #1304 in women’s 100 meters as of 2025 reflects her growing international profile, while her World Athletics ID (14986792) tracks her verified competition results.
At the national level, her performances have been consistently strong. Her fourth-place finish in the 60 meters at the Spanish National Under-20 Indoor Championships demonstrated her ability to compete with the nation’s best young sprinters. Her qualification for the European Under-20 Championships in Tampere, Finland (August 7-10, 2025) represents the current pinnacle of her career achievements, marking her transition from national competitor to international prospect.
The technical scoring system used in international athletics rates her performances highly, with her 4×100-meter relay effort earning 1051 points—her highest-scoring performance to date.Her 200-meter regional record of 23.77 seconds earned 966 points, demonstrating the quality of her breakthrough performance.
Current status and future prospects
As of 2025, Santoyo remains an active competitor who is rapidly approaching the transition from junior to senior-level competition. Her preparation for the European Under-20 Championships represents a crucial moment in her career development, as success at this level often serves as a stepping stone to senior international competition.
Her continued residence in Murcia and training relationship with Abellán provides stability as she navigates this critical period. The coaching expertise available to her—with Abellán’s regular involvement with the Spanish national team program—ensures she has access to the highest levels of technical and tactical guidance.
Impact on Spanish athletics
While Santoyo’s career is still in its early stages, her impact on Spanish athletics is already evident. She has become a prominent figure in Murcia’s athletics scene, regularly breaking regional records and inspiring younger athletes in her region. Her progression through Spain’s youth development system demonstrates the effectiveness of regional programs in identifying and developing talent.
Her coach’s recognition through the RFEA Stimulus Award partly reflects the success of athletes like Santoyo, who represent the fruits of quality coaching and systematic development. As she continues to improve and compete at higher levels, she serves as a model for the potential of Spanish sprint talent and the pathways available to young athletes in the Spanish athletics system.
Conclusion
Estrella Santoyo’s biography represents a story still being written—that of a young athlete rapidly ascending through the ranks of Spanish and international athletics. Her remarkable improvement from regional competitor to international prospect within two years demonstrates both exceptional natural talent and the benefits of quality coaching and systematic development. With her recent qualification for the European Under-20 Championships and continued improvement in her personal best times, she appears well-positioned to make significant contributions to Spanish athletics in the coming years. At 18 years old, with her fastest times achieved just months ago, Santoyo represents the future of Spanish sprinting and the potential for even greater achievements as she continues her athletic development.
Vamos Estrella!
