They fought hard to meet the goal of surpassing the 36 gold medals won four years ago at the Toronto event, according to Osvaldo Vento Montiller, INDER President and head of the delegation to the Peruvian capital, noting athletes somber celebrations of silver and bronze medals that would unleash jubilation in any other delegation, as well as the tears of shame that flowed when a proposed goal was not met.

In a communiqué following the continental event, Vento explained, “We always emphasize that we are facing a very demanding contest, characterized by the high level of countries with more economic strength, which means an abundance of equipment, infrastructure, technology, facilities, and the needed practice, resources to nationalize, contract, or buy athletes and coaches, and other specific factors, including populations that are significantly larger than ours.”

He explained in a document presented to the media, “The reality points to the consolidation of this panorama in the future, because high performance sports increasingly demands large expenditures, and this is a challenge of great significance.”

The INDER President noted, “Given the prevailing level, described as the highest in the history of these competitions, with the presence of more than 100 Olympic medalists and 21 sports providing the opportunity to qualify for Tokyo, discipline, a winning attitude, and team spirit prevailed.”

Commenting on overall results, he noted that 20 sports made a contribution, “Nine of which contributed gold. We’re talking about boxing (8), athletics (5), wrestling (5), judo (5), shooting (4), canoeing (2), rowing (2), cycling (1) and fencing (1).”

The Cuban delegation participated in 267 of the 419 trials held, which meant being absent from 152, including more than a few not included in the Olympic program, “with which the overall order would not have been the same,” he said.

Vento highlighted those disciplines which won more medals than projected: shooting (2 more), boxing (1), athletics (1), judo (1) and fencing (1). He also referred to those in which the projected performances were not delivered, such as taekwondo and baseball, the latter with totally unexpected results, given the extensive training conducted, he said.

Our artistic gymnastics and jai alai teams did not win the medals they hoped for, while wrestling left behind two titles that had been identified as winnable, Vento noted,

Nevertheless, he insisted, “Analysis is needed, because we will never accept complacency, but nothing can take anything away from the pride we feel for the passion with which this delegation competed, to uphold the name of Cuba and the honorable people they represented.”

He again emphasized that Cuba, unlike others who add athletes and coaches from other countries to their teams, competed in Lima with an entirely Cuban delegation, “the product of a sports system within the reach of all, sustained as a priority by the state, despite the increasing hostility of the U.S. government, which imposes limitations that no other country must face.”

The INDER President likewise stressed that no disappointing performance was the result of lack of commitment or effort.

He highlighted the Cuban people’s support for the delegation, at all times, and reported that athletes were moved to receive messages from the President of Cuba’s Councils of State and Ministers, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez; Esteban Lazo Hernández, president of the National Assembly of People’s Power; and Comandante de la Revolución Ramiro Valdés Menéndez, among other leaders.

Also described as motivating were the conversations several team members held with Olga Lidia Tapia Iglesias, a member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat.

(Granma)

Multi-sport games like these Pan-Americans, attended by all 41 countries in the region, supporting their reason for being when they repeat “We all play,” will go down in history for having brought together so many good people from across Our America.

We have lived intense days, wanting to see everything, knowing that it would be impossible to cover the hundreds of events on the schedule, that took us away from home and family for more than two weeks. Any nostalgia was compensated by the great opportunity to see the continent’s youth share the healthiest desire to honor our Greater Homeland.Every time I come to cover one of these celebrations of sports in the Americas, I ask myself the same question: How is it possible that outside the noble competitive environment, people have not learned to live in peace with their fellows?I return to Peru for the second time, and the helping hands in the stands, in the streets, in the event itself, lead me to reflect on whether the endangered human species, as Fidel predicted years ago, will be so thoughtless as not to notice that a better world is possible. Let us begin by imitating what we have seen in these images of fellowship, starting in these Pan Americans and expanding around the world,

The President of Cuba’s National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER), Osvaldo Vento Montiller, and his Peruvian counterpart, Sebastián Suiza, discussed the issue on the last day of an intense visit to Peru by the Cuban official. Vento reported that they had agreed to update the agreement during the upcoming Lima 2019 Pan American Games, to begin July 26, when he will lead Cuba’s delegation to the city.

Among the ideas raised in the dialogue was the possibility of working together to train teachers in this field, under the concept of sports for all, taking advantage of the important infrastructure built for the Pan American Games.

The two officials mentioned areas of potential cooperation in sports medicine, athletes’ training cycles in the two countries, and training courses.

Vento and the INDER delegation that accompanied him toured the Pan American Athletes’ Village and the venues of future regional competitions, noting their quality, which he described as world-class.

The INDER president and his delegation met with the Lima 2019 Executive Director, Carlos Neuhaus, and his technical team, who informed them of organizational and logistical aspects of the Games, and offered full facilities for the Cuban delegation.

Vento also met with the President of Panam Sports, Never Ilich, and with presidents of the Olympic committees of several countries.

(Granma)

“Definitely, this is the biggest victory of my career as an athlete and manager,” he commented, anticipating reporters’ questions.

“I’m happy because we worked hard and I coached a battle-tested team that never gives up, and comes out to play nine innings… and here is the result,” he continued.

He was likewise able to appreciate the strengths of his opponent, saying, “The Cuban team is tremendous, with tradition, always puts up a fight. I congratulate them, as well.”

Two of Panama’s leaders, short stop Javier Guerra, most valuable player, and closer Manny Corpas, agreed with his evaluation, saying that their unity had won them the victory.

PANAMA’S BULLS VS LAS TUNAS

The Panamanian team, the Bulls from Herrera, came out to devour Las Tunas and was able to win the final game on February 10, 3-1, and capture their second title in the Caribbean Series.

Many commentators say that Panama surpassed its real possibilities, and that Las Tunas could have done better. Throughout the tournament they batted hard for the title in Rod Carew Stadium, with 12,000 fans in the stands.

Pitching was again key to the win over Cuba. An unexpected result, but a victory after all, and well deserved. Everything happened in the first inning. It was the beginning and, at the same time, the end of the game. They scored two runs that would have sufficed to take the title, but added one more in the seventh.

The Las Tunas offense folded again. Batters could do little to support Freddy Asiel Alvarez, who overcame a shaky start and stood firm for more than six innings without allowing a run.”We face high-quality pitchers, our athletes must gain discipline at the plate,” said manager Pablo Civil, summing up Cuba’s performance.
Most reporters considered Cuba the favorite, given its history and quality players, with several calling the Cuban team one to approach with care. Few imagined the outcome, it was unexpected, but this should take nothing away from the Panamanian team’s strengths. The Bulls thought otherwise and came out with the intention of winning.

They had the support of enthusiastic fans throughout the nine innings. Apparently, Cuba’s Saturday win – that paved their way to the final – didn’t give them enough momentum to win the last game.

ALL-STAR TEAM:

Most valuable player: Javier Guerra, shortstop (Panama)
Right-handed pitcher: Lázaro Blanco (Cuba)
Left-handed pitcher: Andy Otero (Panamá)
Catcher: Wilkin Castillo (Dominican Republic)
First base: Víctor Mendoza (Mexico)
Srcond base: Alexi Amarista (Venezuela)
Third base: Elmer Reyes (Panama)
Left field: Alfredo Despaigne (Cuba)
Center field: Junior Lake (Dominican Republic)
Right field: Moisés Sierra (Dominican Republic)
Designated hitter: Jilton Calderón (Panama)
Manager: Manuel Rodríguez (Panama)

“Today is a happy day for Cuban baseball, for the world, the people of Cuba and the United States,” stated Higinio Vélez Carrión, president of the Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB), at a press conference shortly after the FCB and Major League Baseball (MLB) announced the historic agreement reached, by which Cuban players will be able to sign with any of the 30 MLB teams, without being forced to defect.

The agreement was reached between the two non-governmental organizations and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), and guarantees the orderly and non-discriminatory presence of Cuban baseball players in U.S. baseball. That is to say, Cuban players will be able to sign with MLB teams without losing their Cuban residence or their link to the island’s baseball teams, as has been the case until now, which has damaged the national game and participation in international events. At the same time, it provides a safe way for Cuban players to make this move, without having to go through unscrupulous third parties.

Vélez explained that the contracts with Major League teams include a release fee paid to the FCB, just as occurs when the MLB signs players from professional leagues in Japan, Korea and China. “This does not affect the hired player’s salary,” he added.

“This is a victory for Cuban baseball, its quality, the commitment and value of its players. It is also recognition of men like Omar Linares, the best player to have featured in the National Series, and Rodolfo Puentes, one of the most brilliant shortstops of our classics,” the FCB president emphasized. Both sports stars, executive members of the FCB, were present at the press conference.

“It’s a very important day for us. I think baseball and the players are the great architects of this achievement. It didn’t come in time for those of my generation, but we did our bit,” Linares told Granma.

Under the agreement, the FCB will release hired players aged at least 25 years old, and with at least six years experience playing in the National Series. Additionally, it could release players who do not meet these requirements, who would be hired as amateurs in the Major Leagues.

According to the FCB press release, the agreement also applies to Cuban players who have emigrated to third countries to try to reach the Major Leagues and, for various reasons, have not achieved this and have been reinserted into the national competitive system.

“In the current 58th National Series, already coming to a close, a total of 38 players who were in that situation have played with their respective teams, and offered good performances. They are figures of this agreement,” stressed Vélez.

“The agreement will help curb illegal activities such as human trafficking, which for several years has put the lives and physical well-being of many young Cuban baseball talents and their families at risk. It is also part of the effort to continue strengthening the practice, enjoyment and development of the national sport. The agreement will have a positive impact for many athletes in the country, for national teams and the FCB,” he continued.

MLB Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. said: “For years, Major League Baseball has been seeking to end the trafficking of baseball players from Cuba by criminal organizations by creating a safe and legal alternative for those players to sign with Major League Clubs.”

Meanwhile, MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark noted: “Establishing a safe, legal process for entry to our system is the most important step we can take to ending the exploitation and endangerment of Cuban players who pursue careers in Major League Baseball. The safety and well-being of these young men remains our primary concern.”

(Granma)

Yaime Perez, selected as the best female athlete, told Granma that the recognition motivates her to fight for better results and to further enhance the nation’s sports tradition. She confirmed her commitment to prepare for upcoming challenges such as the 2019Pan American Games in Lima and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

In addition to the Cuban President, Antonio Becali, head of INDER, the Cuban Institute for Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation, and Roberto León Richard, president of the Cuban Olympic Committee, athletes, sports legends, coaches, and officials attended the event.

The activity was especially dedicated to the Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro, our greatest champion, who with his ideas and efforts ensured that sports in Cuba is a true right for all.

(Granma)

On a global scale, changes have been made to athletes’ equipment; there have been innovations in terms of safety to prevent injuries in competition and in training.

In Cuba, the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (Inder) works, among other aspects, to establish laboratories with technologies that promote, above all, the management of athletes’ training, explained Mélix Ilisástigui Avilés, the institution’s director of Science, Technology and Environment.

Currently, she added, agreements are being made with the University of Computer Sciences to begin to apply sports-related software, and work is ongoing on the development of biomechanical analysis programs.

In this regard, the director highlighted that the country is promoting the use of Biomechanics through state-of-the-art technology to improve results in Cuban sports, as analysis of human performance is a cornerstone of athletic success.

Biomechanics studies are used to analyze the mechanics of athlete’s movements. The Cuban Sports Research Center (CIDC) has already conducted studies in this area, which have helped correct training methods by improving sprint start block angles, the stroke rate when rowing, and the position of the pole when pole vaulting, Ilisástigui noted.

”Based on this, special training methodologies are created, in order to rectify the sport in question. The technology makes the diagnosis more precise and from there other methods to intervene and modify the action are generated,” she added.

A CENTER FOR BIOMECHANICAL STUDIES

Within the CIDC, the area of biomechanics is devoted to the kinematic and kinetic study of athletes’ movement technique, based on the governing laws and principles, thus providing a crucial service to coaches during training sessions, the center’s director, René Romero Esquivel, told Granma.

Thanks to the studies carried out, pole vaulter Yarisley Silva’s take-off has improved. Photo: Ricardo López Hevia
”These studies aim to achieve better results with the technique, in addition to distinguishing motor actions, based on model motions, and thus detecting the mistakes made by the athlete,” he noted.

To do so, the CIDC uses one of the pioneering programs for biomechanical development: Motion II – professional motion analysis software. Developed by German firm Contemplas, Cuba is the only developing country to use it.

This software offers for the first time a general laboratory concept that combines maximum flexibility in the use of high-end equipment. However, the system itself is not limited to a single sport, and can be adapted to the needs of both coaches and those operating it.

The program uses patterns which make it capable of automatically analyzing physical movement, where specific modules allow for focus on video capture with external and analog/digital data collection devices. The equipment works at a speed of 300-400 frames per second and the cameras use reference models to undertake the analysis, Romero Esquivel explained.

While filming, the images are automatically passed through vertical and horizontal reference models, providing highly accurate results, certified by the International Organization of Legal Metrology, and endorsed by the National Metrology Service.

According to the CIDC director, the technology has been applied in different disciplines for the past year, including men’s and women’s volleyball, in which, to cite just one example, a notable improvement of 15 centimeters in the height of players’ jumps has been noted, as compared to their original motion patterns.

It has also been applied to canoeing, rowing, athletics, judo, softball, wrestling, cycling, and women’s basketball, as well as individual studies in swimming, specifically in lap turns.

”There have been approximately 243 biomechanical studies conducted in these sports so far this year,” noted Romero Esquivel.

For example, biomechanical studies using this German technology were undertaken in athletics with Cuban pole vaulter Yarisley Silva. One of the problems detected in her jumps was how to convert the transmission of speed and horizontal force into vertical power at the right moment, to pass over the bar but without soaring an extra seven or eight centimeters above it – an issue that has been resolved, the director explained.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SOFTWARE USED IN CUBA

—In the analysis of cycling, the optimal position to sit on the bike is identified, as well as efficient movement patterns.

— Analysis of the pole vault evaluates the explosive strength of athletes and optimizes their training to make best use of this. The complete analysis parameters evaluate test jumps to identify the output power.

— The system detects athletes’ weaknesses and helps improve their performance.

— The analysis of posture provides a highly competitive concept for the evaluation of athletes’ planes of movement and spinal mechanics.

— For specific sports, Contemplas has developed motion analysis systems to meet updated requirements: swimming performance analysis and a sprint start analysis system.

(Granma)

Cuba has won 220 medals in Olympic Games, the most longstanding competition in world sports. Of these, 77 are gold, 69 silver, and 74 bronze. Cuban women are the owners of 49 – 12 golden, 17 silver, and 20 bronze. If they had competed as a nation, they would be fifth in the ranking of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, surpassed only by Brazil (30-36-61-127), Jamaica (22-33-22-77), Argentina (21-25-28-74), and Mexico (13-24-32-69).
Only 40 national delegations have won more than 10 gold medals in the Olympics, and Cuban women have won 12.
Cuba gave Latin America and the Caribbean its first female champion and also the first judoka in the region to win a gold medal.

An entire edition would not be enough to recall all of the glory, so with recollections of three women, all are honored – starting with the first, Miguelina Cobián, Marlene Elejalde, Fulgencia Romay, and Violeta Quesada, with their silver in the 4×100 relay in Mexico 1968, to Idalys Ortiz, Río de Janeiro 2016.

NOTHING COMES CLOSE TO HER METTLE
Her elegant rhythm on the track and her demon-possessed race to the finish gave her the nickname Caribbean Storm. Her name was Ana Fidelia, for Fidel, with whom she shared a lovely complicity.

“If a competition for treating an injured person had been organized, the doctors, nurses, psychologists, and the rest of the staff who cared for me surely would have won a gold medal. So the victory won during this past World Championship is also the victory of Cuban medicine, the victory of a people that does not surrender when faced with difficulties, the victory of ideas and principles. What can I say to you on a day like today? That I accept this tribute with great humility and deep gratitude.

Thanks to the Revolution I was able to become an athlete; thanks to the Revolution and its generosity, I was able to overcome the accident; thanks to Fidel and his attention, I was able to compete and win; thanks to the solidarity and support of the people, I received enough motivation and encouragement to struggle and win.”

These were her words on September 15, 1995, upon accepting the gold medal at the World Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden. Her accomplishment was colossal. On January 22, 1993, she suffered a life-threatening domestic accident, causing her a miscarriage and burns over 40% of her body. The Comandante en Jefe visited her bedside more than 20 times, accompanying her on this race one step at a time, through agonizing moments, to save the life of a woman born in Palma Soriano, precisely on July 26, ten years after the assaults on the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Garrisons.
In that Swedish city, she wrote her own history, winning a gold medal on August 13, the same day Fidel celebrated his 69th birthday. After this feat and a silver medal won in Athens 1997, Fidel said, “Two things came together to save Fidelia: a miracle of science and that technique with the miracle of human willpower. We have won many sports victories, but I don’t think anything as exciting as this has ever occurred, that moves, that shakes the body and soul’s fibers, as the news of this victory did.”

BETWEEN THE HUMAN & THE DIVINE

On July 20, 2013, my colleague Joel García was able to extract a confession from this female athlete born in Baracoa: “My maternal grandfather told me that his father, Félix Ruenes, received Martí in Playitas, when he landed for the war of 1895. In his campaign diary, Martí talks about him and this is something sacred for the entire family, especially for those of us who have been able to humbly represent the country around the world.”

María Caridad Colón, on July 25, 1980, in the city of Moscow, became the first woman to give Latin America and the Caribbean a gold medal.

Four women had much better records throwing the javelin. She didn’t even figure among the favorites. She alone thought she had a chance, despite her full awareness of the situation. A pain in her shoulder allowed her only one attempt in the qualifying round, and it was good enough. On the day of the finals, minutes before her turn, Dr. Rodrigo Álvarez Cambra had to inject the small of her back. She was not even able to warm up like her rivals, since the effort not only took her breath away, but could potentially have cost her the chance to compete.

She watched German Ruth Fush, winner in Munich-1972 and Montreal-1976, María Caridad’s idol and example, and the Soviet Union’s Tatiana Biryulina, who had made a world record throw just two weeks earlier. Her moment arrived and the aluminum spear left the 22-year-old’s hand and sailed into the sky over Luzhniki Stadium, falling at 68.40 meters, to set an Olympic record. She could throw no more, but made history giving Latin America and the Caribbean its first gold medal.

THE MOST PRECIOUS TREASURE

A joint training session with the Netherlands in Havana, just three months before the Atlanta 1996 Summer Games, left her on the ground, barely able to move. She was quickly transported to the hospital and the first diagnosis appeared to mean an end to her career in sports. A serious neck injury threatened her mobility. The greatest hope of any athlete was escaping her, but she is Driulis González, a Cuban woman from Guantanamo, a tireless fighter.

When no one believed in a miracle, she and her trainer, another invincible, Ronaldo Veitía, were sure of one. She spent the next three months in a wheel chair, leaving it just 15 days before the Atlanta meet.

“I only thought about winning; the “gordo” told me I was ready and that I would accomplish it.” Sun-Yong Jung, the South Korean she had defeated the year before at the Chiba World Championships in Japan, would again be her most challenging opponent, and once again Cuba’s top judoka took control of the mat.

The Olympic champion, World champion, Pan American and Central American champion didn’t miss a beat. Nevertheless, her most treasured prize is not this one. This place is reserved for the honor she had on June 30, 2007, when as the standard bearer for the Cuban delegation to the Pan American Games leading up to Río de Janeiro-2007, she received the nation’s flag from Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, at Havana’s José Martí Memorial.

(Granma)

“In a complex scenario, aware of the resistance that Mexico and Colombia will offer us, we will honor the commitment made to our people to repeat in Barranquilla the first place we have won since the 1970 Central American and Caribbean Games in Panama.”

This was confirmed by Dr. Antonio Becali, president of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (Inder), at a press conference held July 12 with representatives of national and international bodies, in Havana’s Ciudad Deportiva coliseum.

The national head of sports pointed out that Colombia, as venue of the event and a country that has seen a sustained qualitative rise in recent years, has an advantage in competing for the top spot. The competition will see the participation of 538 Cuban athletes, 66% of whom are young athletes who will participate for the first time in these Games, to take place July 19 through August 3.

“We have conducted a scientific study on the possible results in each discipline, based on which we must obtain at least 15 gold medals to fulfill our commitment to win. We need to be very efficient. Remember that Cuba will not be participating in 91 of the 450 scheduled events, including a number in which the Colombians and Mexicans will be favorites. We know what is required to win the Games,” Becali stated.

Regarding the 14 events that have returned to the Baranquilla 2018 edition, after receiving the support of at least five countries ready to participate in each, he argued that these most favor Colombia, with the possibility of securing four gold medals; followed by the Dominican Republic, which could take the same number; while Cuba could see a further two medals.

COMBAT SPORTS

Responding to a question from reporters, the Inder President noted that, as in other editions of the Games, Cuba’s greatest potential is concentrated in combat sports: judo, boxing, taekwondo, and the different wrestling styles.

He also explained that rowing and canoeing are valuable medal contributors, along with athletics; while having competed in various international competitions and qualifying tournaments, and attended training camps in Ecuador and Mexico, has raised the quality of Cuban competitors in badminton, shooting sports, and table tennis, among other events.

Antonio Becali stressed that another essential element is that Cuban athletes will go to Barranquilla equipped with the latest technology equipment. He mentioned the pistols and rifles of the shooters, the bicycles of the triathletes and cyclists, as well as the row boats and canoes, to mention a few.

Cuba’s performance is not characterized by achieving high results only at certain times, as happens with countries that stand out when they host a major event, and later fail to maintain the same competitive level. We work to sustain over time the performance that has allowed us to continue to win since Panama 1970 to date, Becali stressed.

SUPPORT WITHOUT BORDERS

Even though Mexico and Colombia will be the main rivals in the fight for the most medals, Cuba has not skimped on its sports solidarity with many nations around the world, including the two mentioned, sending trainers and specialized personnel.

Becali explained that although the official figure of Cuban representatives at the Games is 789 people, including 133 trainers, it remains to be known the number of Cuban coaches who will be attending Barranquilla as part of the delegations of other countries, whose rosters are yet to be announced.

Responding to another concern expressed by reporters, the head of Inder confirmed that all athletes on contracts with foreign clubs were considered in drawing up the national roster, and their possibilities in the upcoming event were guaranteed through contacts with the responsible authorities of each foreign team, with the commitment to undertake the necessary training plan to offer the best possible performance in Barranquilla. He added that only the baseball players Alfredo Despaigne and Liván Moinelo, playing in the Japanese professional baseball league, were exempted from participating on the island’s team.

The Cuban delegation, which headed to Barranquilla in the early hours of July 15, received talks on the complex political and social situation currently existent in Colombia, and it was revealed that Cuba will have the support of a solidarity group at the venue. The national delegation is composed of young athletes whose average age is 23, and who have studied up to the third year at the university level.

Antonio Becali explained that previously, the first year following the last edition of the Olympic Games was considered to be of little importance. However, today, due to the influence of the qualifying tournaments for both the Central American and Pan American Games, this initial cycle has seen a different dynamic, that has made the training prior to Barranquilla more extensive.

BEYOND THE MEDALS

- Of the 538 Cuban athletes to compete in Barranquilla, 66% are participating for the first time in these Games.
- The national delegation is composed of young athletes whose average age is 23, and who have studied up to the third year at the university level.
- Cuba currently has 176 sports collaboration agreements with 134 nations.
- From 1962 to date, more than 62,000 Cubans from the sports sector have collaborated in 94 countries in the Americas, Asia, Africa, Europe and Oceania.
- A total of 12,838 students from 102 countries have graduated in Physical Culture in Cuba.

(Granma)

First the six Greco-Roman style fighters, then four of Cuba’s six female wrestlers, and finally five free-style gladiators all won tickets to the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima.

Cuba’s entire free-style team secured all their tickets to next year’s regional tournament, except for bronze medal winner Alejandro Valdés who was unable to compete following an elbow injury, clearing the way for the Dominican Republic’s Albaro Rudesindo, also a bronze medal winner, to snatch the spot.

Valdés was treated by the technical team and was the only fighter not to make it to the final after losing 9-10 in the semifinal, against Logan Stieber of the United States.

With his injury taking him out of the running for the silver medal, Valdés was determined to secure bronze against Canada’s Michael Asselstine, which he did with a score of 10-0 and 2:43 minutes to spare before the end of the final match.

Meanwhile, Reineri Andreu (57kg) gave Cuba its first gold after defeating Colombia’s Oscar Tigreros 10-0 in the final, and 2017 World silver medalist Thomas Gilman of the United States in the semifinal.

Andreu was followed by López (74kg) who defeated Nazar Kulchytsky also from the United States, 6-1.

Reineris Salas meanwhile, won his fifth Pan American championship title after beating Kyven Gadson (USA), 9-2 in the 97kg division.

In other final matches, Yurieski Torreblanca took silver after losing 2-3 to David Taylor (USA) in the 86kg division, as did Yudenny Alpajón, who was defeated 0-9 by Nicholas Gwiazdowski (USA).

(Granma)