Cuba closed the ALBA Judo with a perfect result

Caracas, Apr 24 (Prensa Latina) Cuba was crowned today judo champion of the V ALBA Games with an overwhelming performance in the final team competition in which its representatives won all eight scheduled combats.

April 24, 2023
15:18

On the final day at the National Judo Complex in the United Nations Park in Caracas, the two teams with the best chances, Venezuela and Cuba, faced each other in the first round. The winner would be one step away from the gold medal due to the superiority of both over Nicaragua, the other team in dispute.

Cuba’s Lian Benavides triumphed by ippon in the 57 kg division, and her compatriots Hector San Ramon (73 kg), Yusmary Reyes (70 kg) and Ruben Dario (90 kg) won by the same way.

After the second round in which the Venezuelans overcame the Nicaraguans without any difficulty, it was the turn of the Cubans to take action again against the Central American exponents, and they defeated them without a doubt.

Daimarely Caballero, in the 70kg, triumphed by applying a fast ippon, and so did Rubén Darío (90kg) who filed his second victory of the day, Lianet Cardona (78kg) and Jonathan Loynaz (+90kg).

The Venezuelan team won the silver medal and Nicaragua, which finished the day without the smile of a victory, won the bronze medal.

The team modality is a recent inclusion in the judo competitive program. The judges draw lots for the divisions and choose two in each gender; the combats are alternated and the team that wins the most is awarded. In case of a tie, a draw is made and two competitors are selected to fight under the Golden Rule.

After three days of combats in the tatami of the United Nations Park, the Cuban men’s and women’s teams concluded with a total of 11 gold medals, three silver medals and one bronze medal, to beat Venezuela (4-10-2), Nicaragua (0-2-11) and Bolivia (0-0-2).

Cuba registered 14 athletes in ALBA judo, of whom eight are juniors and six are seniors, although under 23 years of age.

Their coaches Felix Portuondo (female) expressed satisfaction with the performance of his young disciples, and so did Boannys Chang (male) who was very pleased.

Judo was one of the 33 disciplines included in the competitive program of the ALBA Games, which will be held until the 29th in Caracas, La Guaira and Miranda.

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