Conscious of the work to be done and boosted with success, Cuban judo today breathes optimism as it dismisses the individual tournament with six prizes at the 2021 Cali-Valle Junior Pan American Games.
“It was not surprising at all,” were the first words of the head of the Cuban Federation, Rafael Manso, when evaluating the youthful performance of his six disciples, owners on the tatamis of the Yuri Alvear Coliseum of two gold medals, the same number of silver and bronze.
In exclusive dialogue with Latin Press, the also national commissioner gave the triumph of his athletes to the people, while enhancing the work of judokas and coaches to overcome adversity amid the impact of Covid-19.
Manso meant the constant fruit in the superior categories of the Antillean teams and prevailed over the champions Thalía Nariño (+78 kg) and Omar Cruz (+100 kg), who rejuvenate the sport with a view to the Central Americans of San Salvador 2023.
Bathed in joy, both athletes highlighted the sacrifice and demanding preparation to achieve this result; and in the mixed zone the thoughts alluded to the family, friends and teachers of the base.
Nariño left the Dominican flag Noira Yeilin Morillo without title options and in her statements thanked the support of the Olympic multi-medalist Idalys Ortiz, who in her opinion was crucial with her corrections and teachings during the practical sessions.
For his part, Cruz attributed the victory in the final against the Argentine Joaquin Alejo to respecting the guidelines of the coach, not losing his grip on the sleeve and going forward in the fight, a strategy that paid off with an ippon technique in less two minutes.
With three representatives of each sex, Cuba added the silver metals of Idelannis Gómez (70 kg) and Serguei Rodríguez (90 kg) at the end of the individual competition, who expressed their satisfaction at getting on the medal podium and praised the quality of the contest.
The other two awards from the Caribbean collective came through Thailien Castillo and Kimy Bravo, authors of bronze medals in the 57 and 66 kilogram divisions, respectively.
The coach of the girls Andrés Fernández congratulated each of the Cuban judokas for imposing in many cases the figures better placed in the ranking and with a customary presence in Grand Prix and Grand Slam matches.
“We knew that we could achieve results of this type, the training sessions, although short, were demanding and confidence was always transmitted to them and the future of judo is guaranteed,” said Fernández.
More than one praise was monopolized by Cuban judocas at the Jamundí sub-headquarters facility and dismissed the Cali-Valle event in second place in the discipline, they were only surpassed by the Brazilian representation, the protagonist of five gold, one silver and one four of bronze.
