Spanish Runner Judith Tortosa Chases 2028 Paralympic Dream

For years, Judith Tortosa dreamed of competing at the Paralympic Games, but her event wasn't part of the program. Last year, everything changed when officials announced the women's 100m T72 would debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.

"Knowing that the T72 class will be at Los Angeles 2028 filled me with excitement and gave me even more motivation to keep training and improving every day," said Tortosa, who competes in frame running. "It's a dream come true to be able to compete at the Paralympic Games."

The 20-year-old Valencia-based athlete has already proven herself on the world stage. She's won three medals at World Championships, including bronze in the 100m T72 at Paris 2023. Last year at the Meeting of L'Hospitalet in Barcelona, she set a world record in the 400m T72 with a time of 1:17.50.

This weekend, Tortosa returns to L'Hospitalet as one of the stars of the traditional meeting. She'll compete alongside Paralympic champions like Fleur Jong of the Netherlands and Spanish world champion Alba Garcia Falagan. The competition serves as a key preparation stop on her road to Paralympic qualification.

Balancing athletic dreams with everyday life isn't easy. Tortosa trains six days a week, focusing on speed, endurance and physiotherapy sessions. She's also working toward an intermediate vocational training degree in administration, attending classes between training sessions.

"I try to balance sport and my studies as best I can," she explained. "It can be tricky to organise everything at times, but when you love what you do, you find a way." After class on Friday, she'll head straight to Barcelona for the competition.

The inclusion of her event in LA28 has transformed how she and her coaches approach training. They're no longer focused solely on the next World Championships in Tashkent in 2027. Everything is now planned with the Paralympics in mind, from training sessions to recovery schedules.

Why This Inspires

Tortosa's journey highlights the power of persistence and patience. For years, she competed at the highest levels without knowing if she'd ever get her Paralympic moment. She kept training, kept improving and kept believing. Now, at just 20 years old, she has three years to prepare for the opportunity of a lifetime.

Her story also represents progress for the frame running community, which has advocated for greater Paralympic inclusion. Having their events featured on the world's biggest stage validates years of dedication and opens doors for the next generation of athletes.

"Competing at home is always something very special because you really feel the support of the crowd," Tortosa said, looking ahead to the weekend. Her main goals remain simple: improve her times, gain experience and enjoy the competition.