Cuban Magdiel Estrada was eliminated from the Olympic Games judo tournament
Havana, July 26 (RHC)-- A little more than a minute and a half lasted today the bout in which Cuban Magdiel Estrada was eliminated from the Olympic Games judo tournament, held at the sanctuary of martial arts in this country: the Nippon Budokan.
The Cuban representative in the 73 kilogram division faced a complicated challenge against the Moldavian Victor Sterpu, 2020 European champion. He knew it would be a difficult fight, but he never imagined that his strategy would fail him so quickly and he could do little against the leg technique executed by his rival to take the victory with an undisputed ippon.
"I couldn't do the tactic I foresaw, he beat me to the ko soto. I was waiting for him with that same thing to do it or uchi gari (projection) which is my forte anyway and he got ahead of me", he acknowledged as he passed through the Mixed Zone, where he was awaited by the journalists of the Island.
"I thought that by getting in behind I could make it, but I was dominated by the grip on the outside and that's where he surprised me," he explained with obvious regret, as he wanted to turn his second participation at this level into a better result.
This was the first presentation of a Cuban judoka here, and despite not leaving a good taste, Magdiel was in charge of clarifying that good results are expected with the rest of his teammates.
In addition, he asked for support for them and assured that not having an audience in the stands will not make a difference for the goal they have set for themselves.
Tomorrow will be the debut of Maylín del Toro (63 kg), who in her first fight will face the Syrian Muna Dahouk -competing under the flag of the Refugee Team. If she makes the expected breakthrough, she will face the winner of the fight between Venezuelan Anriquelis Barrios and Russian Daria Davydova.
The acronym ROC appears next to the latter's name, as she is one of the 324 authorized to compete under the tutelage of the Russian Olympic Committee.
