Andrea Arilla: Spanish Jumping Sensation from Navarre

Andrea Arilla Luqui is a rising star in Spanish athletics, specializing in the long jump and triple jump. Representing Grupompleo Pamplona Atlético, the young athlete from Navarre has established herself as one of Spain’s most promising jumpers, combining exceptional talent with consistent competitive excellence.

Track and Field Accomplishments

Personal Bests and Records

Arilla’s personal achievements demonstrate her elite jumping ability. Her best long jump performance stands at 6.45 meters, a mark she achieved twice in 2024—first at the Centro de Tecnificación de Atletismo in Antequera on February 4, and again on May 17, 2024. This impressive distance also represents the Navarre regional record in both the absolute and U23 categories, breaking the previous mark by 18 centimeters. In the triple jump, her personal best is 13.28 meters, set on July 14, 2024.

Beyond her jumping prowess, Arilla has shown versatility across multiple events. She has recorded 7.91 seconds in the 60 meters (January 2022) and competed in the 4×100 meter relay, helping her team to a time of 47.62 seconds in April 2024 in Pamplona.

National Championships Success

Arilla’s medal collection from Spanish national championships is impressive and spans multiple age categories. At the 2022 Spanish U20 Indoor Championships in Antequera (Málaga), she became national champion and set a championship record in the triple jump. During that same competition, she demonstrated her range by also competing successfully in the long jump.

In 2023, at the Spanish U20 Championships held in Soria, she won two medals across her jumping events, performances that earned her selection to represent Spain at the European U20 Championships in Jerusalem that August.

At the 2024 Spanish U23 Championships in Antequera, Arilla captured the silver medal in the long jump with her record-breaking 6.45-meter leap, finishing just behind the gold medalist. This performance not only secured her place on the podium but also established new regional standards for Navarre.

In senior competition, Arilla has consistently placed among Spain’s elite. At the 2024 Spanish Short Track Championships in Ourense, she narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth in the long jump with a mark of 6.24 meters—a position decided by just five centimeters when a competitor edged her out in the final round. At the 2025 Spanish Absolute Short Track Championships in Madrid, she competed with determination despite dealing with minor knee issues.

International Representation

Arilla’s talent has earned her multiple opportunities to represent Spain on the international stage. In March 2023, she wore the Spanish national team jersey at an U20 international match in Liévin, France, competing against France and Italy and finishing fourth in her event.

Most significantly, she was selected to compete at the 2023 European U20 Championships in Jerusalem, Israel (August 7-10), following her strong performances at the Spanish National Championships in Soria. This represented a major milestone in her developing international career.

In 2025, Arilla achieved another breakthrough by qualifying for the European U23 Championships scheduled for Bergen, Norway (July 17-20, 2025). She secured her spot with an outstanding jump of 6.35 meters at the Navarre U23 Championships in Zizur, matching the qualifying standard and demonstrating her continued progression toward the senior elite level.

Club Competition Excellence

As a key member of Grupompleo Pamplona Atlético, Arilla has been instrumental in the club’s success in Spain’s premier team competition, the División de Honor. In the 2022 final held in La Nucía (Alicante), she contributed a fifth-place finish in triple jump as the team secured fifth place overall among Spain’s top clubs.

At the 2022 Copa Iberdrola (Spanish Club Cup) in Madrid, featuring the nation’s eight best women’s teams, Arilla finished fourth in the triple jump, helping her club to a sixth-place finish. In the 2025 edition of the same competition, described as Spain’s U23 vice-champion, she again contributed significantly to the team’s performance alongside other standout athletes.

She has been a consistent performer at major club meetings, including the prestigious Memorial José Luis Hernández held at Larrabide Stadium in Pamplona. At the 2024 edition, she produced a spectacular winning jump of 6.45 meters in the long jump, thrilling the home crowd and coming within just four centimeters of the overall Navarre regional record.

Recent Performances and Rankings

Throughout 2024 and into 2025, Arilla has maintained her status among Spain’s top jumpers. European Athletics has ranked her 48th in the women’s long jump with a score of 1124 points, and she has appeared as high as 47th in the rankings during the 2024 season. Her consistency has kept her competitive at the national level against Spain’s established senior athletes, even while still competing in the U23 age category.

Career and Athletic Development

Arilla trains at the Centro de Tecnificación de Atletismo in Antequera, one of Spain’s premier training centers for track and field athletes. This facility has provided her with world-class coaching and training environments as she continues her development from youth standout to senior competitor.

Her affiliation with Grupompleo Pamplona Atlético has been central to her career trajectory. The club, one of Spain’s most respected athletics programs, competes in the División de Honor—the highest level of team competition in Spanish athletics—giving Arilla regular exposure to elite competition and the opportunity to train alongside and compete against Spain’s best athletes.

Under the guidance of club coach Ignacio Santamaría, Arilla has developed a technical and competitive foundation that has allowed her to excel across multiple jumping events. Her versatility—competing in both long jump and triple jump at a high level—demonstrates both her natural athleticism and the comprehensive training approach of her coaches.

Educational Background and Aspirations

At 20 years of age, Arilla is balancing her athletic pursuits with her educational development. While specific details about her academic studies are not widely publicized, her training at the Centro de Tecnificación de Atletismo in Antequera suggests she is part of a structured program that integrates education with high-performance athletics, following the Spanish sports federation model that supports young athletes in pursuing both academic and athletic excellence.

Her continued improvement and consistent performances indicate a long-term commitment to athletics, with clear aspirations to compete at the highest levels of international competition. Her qualification for the 2025 European U23 Championships represents a significant step toward these goals, positioning her for potential future selection to senior Spanish national teams for major championships.

Personal Interests and Character

Arilla hails from Navarre, a region in northern Spain with a strong athletics tradition. Competing for a Pamplona-based club, she represents her local community and has become a source of pride for Navarre athletics. Her performances at home venues, particularly at Larrabide Stadium in Pamplona, have energized local fans and inspired younger athletes in the region.

Those who have followed her career describe her as determined and resilient. At the 2025 Spanish Championships, despite dealing with knee discomfort, she emphasized her commitment to compete at her best, noting “this is athletics and sport, I’m going to enjoy it and give everything.” This mindset—balancing competitive intensity with awareness of her physical limits—reflects maturity beyond her years.

Her approach to competition combines respect for her rivals with quiet confidence in her own abilities. When discussing the high level of competition at national championships, she has expressed that her goal is “to enjoy it and do the best I can,” demonstrating a healthy competitive attitude focused on personal excellence rather than solely on results.

As a young athlete training at an elite level, Arilla’s dedication to her craft is evident in her progression year over year. From setting championship records at the U20 level to competing successfully against senior athletes, she has shown the work ethic and commitment necessary to succeed at the highest levels of track and field.

Andrea Arilla continues to develop as one of Spain’s brightest prospects in the jumping events. With her combination of technical skill, competitive experience, and ongoing physical maturation, she is well-positioned to make significant contributions to Spanish athletics in the years ahead. Her qualification for the 2025 European U23 Championships marks another milestone in what promises to be an exciting career trajectory toward senior international competition.

Go Andrea!