At just 10 years old, Blanco has become a focal point in the Spanish sports world. The boy from Malaga gained attention after completing a 25km run with a pace of 4:57, meaning he ran each kilometer in an average of 4 minutes and 57 seconds. This is an achievement that even many adults struggle to attain.

Blanco's personal best (PB) for a 5km run is also impressive: 17 minutes and 25 seconds.

Ivan Blanco Estrada running the 25km race and then giving an interview. Photo: Elcorreoweb

This remarkable feat gained widespread attention after an interview with a social media star affiliated with the Vitamin Well brand. In the video, Blanco shared his secret to success: "You have to be persistent, train every day, and be passionate about sports."

The boy's high-intensity daily routine also surprised many. Blanco explained, "I work on my core, upper body, and do additional hip-opening exercises. I eat breakfast, train, have lunch, train again, have a snack, and then go to sleep." The young runner's favorite pre-competition meal is "rice with beets."

Even more remarkable is the gift Blanco wanted after getting good grades in school – an ice bath to help his legs recover. This reveals a mindset and training load comparable to that of a professional athlete.

The interview video has attracted over 4 million views and immediately sparked controversy among sports professionals and fans. Some expressed concerns about the pressure placed on such a young child, while others supported Blanco's spirit and passion for sports.

Former athlete Carles Castillejo considered this "crazy for a body still in its developmental stage." Long-distance runner Chiki Perez warned, "When the time comes for real training, he might get bored and quit athletics." Another athlete, Agueda Marques, stated, "Such high-intensity training puts a lot of stress on a 10-year-old. The possibility of a negative outcome is very high."

Conversely, other athletes defended Blanco. Marathon runner Yago Rojo thought the boy was "truly a phenomenon."

Athlete and social media personality Pitufollow emphasized that Blanco ran the 25km because he wanted to and did it to raise money for charity.

Pitufollow compared this case to Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Kilian Jornet, who also trained seriously from a very young age. He believed this was "not unusual or dangerous," and criticized those who judged based on a short video without knowing the full context or motivation.

Yu Zidi swimming in the 200m individual medley final at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore on 28/7. Photo: Marca

A similar debate arose at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships when 12-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi competed and became the youngest medalist at the event. Yu Zidi shocked the leaderboards and simultaneously raised questions about both regulations and physical capabilities.

Hong Duy (according to Marca)