Havana– More than 400 judokas, of which more than 300 foreigners, will compete in the Pan American Open and the Ronaldo Veitía Cup, competitions that will take place between April 5 and 9 at the Hotel Internacional de Varadero, as confirmed to Radio Rebelde Rafael Manso, President of the Cuban Federation of this sport.
The senior event, which is scheduled for the 8th and 9th, will qualify for the Pan American Games in Santiago de Chile and will bring together several of the main figures of the continent, among which are the world medalists Andy Granda (+100 Kg ) and Iván Silva (90 Kg), as well as the Olympic champion Idalys Ortiz (+78 Kg).
Meanwhile, the event that pays tribute to the considered best coach of this martial art, Ronaldo Veitía, will take place from the 5th to the 7th and will be a unique opportunity to see those who represent the future of Cuban judo in action. It will compete in the Sub-13, Sub-15, Cadets and Youth categories.
Andrés Taño González, Secretary of the Cuban Federation, commented that this number of participants can grow. “We have received the intention to participate that have countries with a tradition in Judo.”
Taño González pointed out that the event that brings together judokas under 15 years of age will be dedicated to the Labor Hero of the Republic, Ronaldo Veitía, considered the father of Judo in Cuba. “It is a tribute to this outstanding professor, we will also have the participation of veterans, a category that will be competed for the first time internationally on the island.”
In addition, an international course for referees will be held in the days prior to the Judo Open, which will be taught by the Argentine Ovidio Garnero, President of Arbitration of America. “We will have 30 referees from our country who will seek to categorize themselves in order to be able to work in international events. Those who stand out could participate in the contest and it will be a way to observe them”.
In July of last year, the President of the Pan American Judo Confederation, Carlos Zegarra, paid a visit to our country, and was even received by the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the PCC and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz- Canel Bermudez.
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