Puerto Vallarta recently celebrated the achievements of local youth in sports and culture, recognizing gymnasts who excelled at state and national competitions and the Vallarta Azteca Children’s Folkloric Group, which earned first place at an international festival in Montenegro.
During a regular session of the Puerto Vallarta City Council, Mayor Luis Munguía González and municipal officials presented awards to the young athletes and dancers, recognizing the dedication, discipline and teamwork behind their accomplishments.
The gymnastics team earned 55 medals at the 2026 Jalisco State Championships, including 15 gold, 13 silver and eight bronze, along with 19 additional top-10 finishes. The athletes then competed at the National Championships, where Ivana Salcedo Rafael became national runner-up in floor exercise and placed sixth in the all-around competition.
Coach Abraham Isabel Hernández Cisneros praised the gymnasts for their determination throughout months of training. He also recognized the important role their families have played in helping the athletes reach their goals.
Munguía González likewise highlighted the discipline of the gymnasts and the support provided by their coaches and families. He reaffirmed the municipal government’s commitment to sports and announced improvements to the facility where the team trains.
The City Council also recognized the Vallarta Azteca Children’s Folkloric Group for its international achievement in Montenegro. The group represented Mexico and Jalisco at the International Children’s Folkloric Dance Festival “Kolo bez Granica-Circle without Borders” in Tivat, where it earned first place.
Selene Mora Andrade, director of the academy, noted that this marked the first time a Mexican group had participated in the festival, making the experience an important opportunity for the young dancers to share Mexican and Jalisco traditions with an international audience.
The recognition brought together two different forms of youth achievement, with gymnastics representing athletic discipline and folkloric dance preserving cultural traditions. Together, their accomplishments demonstrate the range of talent developing in Puerto Vallarta and the ability of local young people to represent their city well beyond its borders.
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