João Santos, a student on the Nutrition degree programme at the Faculty of Biotechnology at Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Porto, has been awarded the Silver Grade Medal by Gondomar Municipal Council.

The distinction recognises the achievements of a rower who combines high-performance sport with his academic studies.

The journey of the rowers honoured by the municipality also reflects the training and development work carried out by sports organisations in the municipality. “Gondomar recognises people who have distinguished themselves through their achievements and the work they have carried out in a wide range of areas,” said the Mayor of Gondomar, Luís Filipe Araújo.

12 personalities honoured

In addition to João Santos, Gondomar Municipal Council honoured several other local figures, recognising outstanding achievements across a range of fields.

Those awarded the Gold Grade included Manuela Aguiar, Fernando Lapa, Fernando Sá and Carlos Carvalho. Brothers Diogo Jota and André Silva were honoured posthumously for their football careers and their connection to Gondomar Sport Clube, where they began their careers.

In the Silver Grade, sport was particularly prominent, with canoeists Gustavo Gonçalves and André Moreira and rowers João Santos and Inês Oliveira, athletes who have represented Portugal with notable results.

Saxophonist Nuno Ramos and gerontologist and President of the National Association of Gerontologists, Filipa Sousa Luz, completed the list.

The awards were presented at a ceremony held on 3 October.