Darío Villalba Explained

Darío Villalba
Fullname:Darío Villalba Flórez
Birth Date:22 February 1939
Birth Place:San Sebastián, Spain
Death Place:Madrid, Spain
Coach:Thea Frenssen
Formertraininglocations:Chamonix
Philadelphia
Beganskating:c. 1950

Darío Villalba Flórez (22 February 1939  - 16 June 2018)[1] was a Spanish painter, photographer, and competitive figure skater. He represented Spain at the 1956 Winter Olympics where he placed 14th.

Life and career

Darío Villalba Flórez was born on 22 February 1939 in San Sebastián. He began skating at age 11 in Philadelphia, where his father was serving as the Spanish consul. He returned to Spain when he was 14 years old. As the only rink in Spain was small and of poor quality, his parents sent him to Chamonix, France, where he was taught by a German coach, Thea Frenssen.

At the age of 16, he represented Spain at the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. He placed 14th of 16 competitors in the men's singles event. He then finished 15th at the 1956 World Championships in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

In 1983 he received Spain's National Award for Plastic Arts.[2]

In 2002, Villalba became a member of the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando.

Competitive highlights

International
Event1956
align=left 14th
align=left 15th

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Darío Villalba Flórez | ESQUELAS ABC.
  2. News: El premio a Català Roca y el reconocimiento a la fotografía, novedad de los galardones nacionales de Artes Plásticas . The Award to Català Roca and the Recognition of Photography, Release of the Nationals for Plastic Arts Winners . . Madrid . Spanish . 1983-12-07 . 2019-06-21.