As exclusively explained to Prensa Latina by the secretary general of the Cuban Judo Federation, Andres Taño, the call was affected because those who are here run the risk of not being able to set foot in the United States.

It has been an obstacle to promote the participation of more judoists, but luckily the judo family in America is very brave and gave their support, and we will have 10 countries of the continent, including Poland, he said.

The also director of the competition acknowledged that this northern sports body has nothing to do with politics and that is why it will be one of the competing nations.

The competition foresees categories in the U13, U15, cadet, youth and senior categories, which will be in charge of opening the Carnival tomorrow with action in seven divisions.

The points awarded by the competition in its elite section will be important for the qualification to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, for which Cuba has four athletes at this moment theoretically qualified.

We ratify the challenge of trying to go to Paris with five judokas, and in the Pan American Games that will be held in a few days we can get one more place to compete in the team competition, he said.

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