The Navarrese aizkolari Iker Vicente (Ochagavía, 1997) has passed a double challenge: to beat the historical record established since 1995 and to contribute to the research of COVID-19 that takes place in the Cima University of Navarra. In 26'46'' the young athlete was able to cut 14 56-inch beech logs. The charity event was held on Sunday the 14th, at the Navarra Arena Pavilion (Pamplona) and was broadcasted live by EITB.

Iker Vicente was predestined to be an aizkolari. "My hobby began when I was very young, as my parents were aizkolari. I descend from a well-known family saga on my mother's side and, as my father was also an aizkolari, I have always been very close to this sport. The aizkora is my present and my future and that is why I am committed to promoting it", explains the current champion of Navarre, of Euskadi and runner-up in the world of this rural sport modality .

Immersed in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, he set out to do his bit to address this status. "I believe that at the moment we are living through, we can all contribute something. And what I know how to do is to cut. That's why I proposed organizing an exhibition and creating expectation by trying to break a record. It's time for all of us to 'cut this virus,'" he adds.

The young aizkolari recognizes that the preparation and organization of the event have not been easy. "Due to the moment we are living, we have encountered problems with mobility for training, to look for wood, etc.".

In favor of the research of COVID-19

To the challenge of trying to beat the record set in 1995, Iker Vicente wanted to add a touch of solidarity. "I have decided for the research of the COVID-19 because it is what concerns me most at the moment. I am very happy and I thank the institutions and the media that are helping us to publicize the event to raise funds to fight the pandemic".

The funds raised through donations from individuals and organizations will go entirely to research for COVID19 vaccines, which is being developed at Cima. "In previous programs of study we have discovered different vaccination strategies that boost the immune system against viruses. In this project we are working on the development of a vaccine based on peptides capable of inducing a humoral response that neutralizes COVID-19", explains the Dr. Juan José Lasartedirector of the Immunology and Immunotherapy Programme from Cima.

"We thank, from the bottom of our hearts, Iker Vicente's initiative to support our research. Iker comes from a family that has done a lot for Basque rural sports. And now, that Iker is launching this solidarity initiative to support the research is exemplary. In addition, personally, this challenge makes me especially excited, since my uncle Martín Garciarena won the first Spanish Aizkolaris championship, in 1950", says Dr. Lasarte.

The event was supported by Jamones Volatín and Pedro Luis Conservas, as well as the Miguel Indurain Foundation, Urzante, Etxenike and Lurauto. Those interested in collaborating in the campaign #Cortaelvirus #Birusamoztu you can make your contribution on the website https://helpify.es/comunidades/cortaelvirus-birusamoztu/ or through the Bizum application (code 00407).