Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - Last week, Mayor Arturo Peña Davalos led an awards ceremony to honor the Puerto Vallarta athletes who, representing the state of Jalisco, won a total of 37 medals in the 2016 National Youth Olympics and National Paralympic games.

The Mayor congratulated the teams and gave special recognition to the parents and coaches whose support helped turned the athletes into winners. "We are proud of your commitment and dedication, for demonstrating to all Vallartenses that when you want to do something, you can. The city that we love includes all of us, and no effort made is minor. Everyone who enjoys its scope of possibilities is called upon to be a dignified Vallartense, to raise up the name of this land where you were born, and you are on that path... the path to success."

He asked the successful athletes to share their experiences with others, to give advice to their peers, but above all, to assume their roles as winners with simplicity and humility. "The municipal government of Puerto Vallarta plays next to you, we put on your jersey and are part of your team. Our commitment to sports is paramount," Peña Davalos said.

The director of the Municipal Council of Sports (COMUDE), José Amador Hernández Madrigal, said that every year a significant number of Vallarta athletes are part of the Jalisco Selection team in these competitions.

This year, the Vallarta athletes' efforts yielded the following results: 22 gold medals, 8 silver and 7 bronze. The same number of gold medals were won in 2015 although the categories were modified this year and that increased the complexity of competition.

On behalf of all the athletes, the gold medalist boxer, Antonio Diaz Grano Fabian, told Arturo Davalos, "I am proud to be the spokesperson for my companions, on behalf of us all, we appreciate the support we received throughout the process of the Olympics and Paralympics. We delivered results that leave us satisfied, but also challenge us to prepare for next year so we can surpass the achievements we've made."

One of the highlights of the awards ceremony was a special recognition delivered by Francisca Rosario Pelayo Fuentes, a.k.a. "Chayito," who won two gold medals and one bronze in the World Trisomy Games in Florence, Italy.