The competition, which has sold out all its spots, was created last year with the aim of fostering female participation and offering competitive standards adapted to different levels. The day will combine strength, endurance, and self-improvement, commemorating three significant dates in women's history: 1931, 1987, and 2004.
The event was officially presented at the Casa de los Capitanes in La Laguna, with the support of the La Laguna City Council, through the Autonomous Sports Organization (OAD) and the Equality and LGTBI department. The competition brings together athletes from different islands and aims to establish itself on the regional calendar.
Badel Albelo, president of the local OAD, highlighted the municipality's pride in hosting initiatives like the Pumpkin Challenge, which "reaffirm our commitment to promoting sports, equal opportunities, and female participation in any discipline." He also emphasized the capacity of such events to gather athletes from various islands and foster coexistence, self-improvement, and camaraderie.
Driven by Javiera Onell, the Pumpkin Challenge emerged from the need to give greater presence to women in CrossFit competitions, offering appropriate standards in weights and workload. "We didn't want to exclude female categories or have strong women out there who were afraid to take the step," explained its creator, who asserts that "fads pass, we don't. Strong women are here to stay." The response to this second edition has exceeded all expectations.
Behind this initiative is also a personal story of overcoming adversity. Javiera Onell went from a sedentary lifestyle to becoming a CrossFit practitioner and later a coach, after experiencing a serious health issue that changed her perspective on life. This experience explains much of the Pumpkin Challenge's philosophy, which aims to offer opportunities to those who have not yet dared to compete.
"The driving force behind this event is to encourage women to participate as both athletes and organizers. One of my main goals is for the Pumpkin Challenge to become a meeting point for sports, uniting women and men, of all ages, levels, and islands," stated Onell, insisting that every detail of this second edition has a reason. The names of the WODs are a testament to this commitment to recognizing women who paved the way and continue to do so today.
