The question of which team is the oldest in Canarian wrestling on Gran Canaria has sparked debate for decades. According to Falcón Falcón, José Roque, the commonly held belief that Adargoma is the oldest team does not hold up under scrutiny when considering organization and federation criteria[1].
The author defines two key concepts: “team” and “oldest”. In this context, a team must be an organized group with a clear structure, management, and distinguishing uniform. The term “oldest” refers to being the most ancient within a community[1].
Falcón Falcón, José Roque, argues that the title of oldest team should go to the one that was not only the earliest but also properly organized and federated when the Provincial Wrestling Federation of Las Palmas was created in 1946. His research shows that only four teams met these requirements at that time: Los Guanches de Arucas, Adargoma de San José, Tumbador del Puerto, and Ajódar de Guía[1].
Analysis of wrestling activity during the pre-federation period (1940s) reveals that the north of Gran Canaria, particularly Arucas and Gáldar, maintained the wrestling tradition, while the south and Las Palmas were less organized. Los Guanches de Arucas and Unión de Luchadores de Gáldar were the most active and organized teams in this era[1]. However, Unión de Luchadores de Gáldar was never federated, which, according to the author, disqualifies them from being considered the oldest, despite their prior organization[1].
Regarding Adargoma, Falcón Falcón, José Roque, traces its origins to the San José team, first mentioned in July 1943. He notes that this team was not as organized or competitive as Los Guanches or Unión de Luchadores de Gáldar. Furthermore, Adargoma as a club was not formally established until March 1945, according to its founding act[1].
For these reasons, the author concludes that Los Guanches de Arucas, organized since early 1943 and federated in 1946, meet the criteria to be considered the oldest Canarian wrestling team in Gran Canaria. The traditional attribution to Adargoma is explained, according to Falcón Falcón, José Roque, by its continuity in competition after other teams became inactive, not by greater antiquity[1].