Daniela Fra Palmer: Spain’s Rising Star in Track and Field
Daniela Fra Palmer has emerged as one of Spain’s most accomplished track and field athletes, specializing in the 400-meter hurdles and relay events. The Madrid-based athlete is a member of an athletics club in Arroyomolinos, where she has built an impressive career that continues to elevate Spanish athletics on the international stage.
Athletic Career and Accomplishments
Fra Palmer began her athletic journey at age 15 under the guidance of Ángeles Guerra, who was first her high school teacher and then became her coach. Her progression in the sport has been remarkable, transitioning from a multi-event competitor to becoming a specialist in hurdles.
Despite initially competing in several events, in the U20 category she focused on the short hurdles, achieving her first Spanish national title in the 100-meter hurdles in 2018. By 2021, having specialized in the 400-meter hurdles, she represented Spain internationally for the first time at the European U23 Championships, where she reached the semifinals.
Fra Palmer’s domestic dominance in the 400-meter hurdles has been impressive. She won the Spanish Athletics Championships in the 400-meter hurdles in July 2023 with a time of 55.85 seconds, then retained her title in June 2024 in La Nucia with a time of 55.92 seconds, finishing ahead of Sara Gallego. Her personal best in the 400-meter hurdles stands at 54.69 seconds, achieved on August 2, 2025.
The 2024-2025 season has been particularly successful for Fra Palmer. She competed for Spain in the 400-meter hurdles at the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome, Italy. In early 2025, she was a member of the Spanish 4×400-meter relay team alongside Paula Sevilla, Eva Santidrián, and Blanca Hervás which set a national indoor record of 3:25.68 at the European Indoor Championships on March 9, 2025.
Her crowning achievement came in May 2025 when she competed for Spain at the 2025 World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China, as part of the team that won the gold medal in the Women’s 4×400-meter relay. The Spanish quartet of Paula Sevilla, Eva Santidrián, Daniela Fra, and Blanca Hervas stunned the heavily favored United States team to clinch gold with a new national record of 3:24.13. This unexpected victory represented one of the biggest moments in Spanish women’s track and field history.
Fra Palmer currently ranks #43 in the world in the women’s 400-meter hurdles and has earned recognition as a World Athletics Relays winner, Ibero-American Championships silver medalist, and five-time national champion.
Education and Career Aspirations
Fra Palmer has successfully balanced her athletic career with her academic pursuits. She attended Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), where she studied CAFyD (Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte – Sports Science). She recently graduated, celebrating the completion of what she described as her best academic years.
Beyond her undergraduate studies, Fra Palmer is currently pursuing a master’s degree while maintaining her rigorous athletic training schedule. Her educational background in sports science aligns naturally with her athletic career and suggests potential career paths in coaching, sports management, or athletic training after her competitive days.
Personal Interests and Community Involvement
Fra Palmer demonstrates a strong commitment to giving back to the athletic community. She works as a youth athletics coach at the Club de Atletismo de Arroyomolinos, sharing her expertise and passion with the next generation of athletes. This role allows her to maintain close ties with the community where her athletic journey has been based.
Her dedication to youth development reflects the influence of her own coach, Ángeles Guerra, who guided her from her teenage years through her rise to international competition. Fra Palmer’s involvement in coaching young athletes demonstrates her understanding of the importance of mentorship and community support in athletic development.
Looking Ahead
Fra Palmer continues to compete at the highest levels of international athletics. She competed for Spain in the 400-meter hurdles at the 2025 European Athletics Team Championships First Division in Madrid on June 28, 2025. As she continues to lower her personal bests and contribute to Spain’s relay success, Fra Palmer has established herself as a key figure in Spanish athletics and a role model for aspiring athletes throughout the country.
With her combination of athletic excellence, educational achievement, and commitment to youth development, Daniela Fra Palmer represents the complete modern athlete—dedicated to excellence on the track while preparing for a meaningful career beyond competition.
Go Daniela!
