Juan Carley Vazquez

Havana, May 24 (JIT) - Some twenty athletes, including two world youth medalists, will defend Cuba's colors in athletics at the First Caribbean Games in Guadeloupe, scheduled for the end of June.

Juan Carley Vázquez, under-20 champion in Nairobi 2021, and sprinter Shainer Reginfo, bronze medalist in the 100 meters in the same event, lead the selection announced by national commissioner Yipsi Moreno.

Long jumper Yanisley Carrión and Leidys Pérez, triple jumper Andy Hechavarría, javelinist Mariannailys Silva and octagonist Daily Cooper are other athletes announced, as part of a selection that seeks to give space to exponents that could be key for the rest of the Olympic cycle.

"We are focusing all the competitions with a view to preparing for 2023, when we will have Central American and Pan American Games. That is why we are trying to diversify the attendance to this type of events because the marks will be valid to qualify", commented Yipsi, who as part of the strategy has also offered space to events with little presence in the most recent commitments.

For example, in the current selection Maher Salah Mahroos and Hansel Abreu were included for the 1,500 meters, distance that is intended to be rescued especially for the regional appointment of San Salvador 2023.

Greisys Roble and Keily Pérez, who last weekend won gold and silver in the 100 meters hurdles at the Ibero-American Athletics Championship in Alicante, Spain, were also included.

Also joining the Guadeloupe group will be long jumpers Maikel Vidal and Daniel Mustelier.

"They are categories that are not framed in youth and have been in the senior category for a short time. This is really very important for them because we are giving space to new figures to prepare and give continuity to the expectations we have for this cycle," said Yipsi, a stellar hammer jumper years ago, Olympic champion in Beijing 2008 and several times world champion.

Meanwhile, in two rainy days, the national competitions were again held at the Pan American Stadium.

Among the most striking results, several personal bests stand out. According to data from statistician Alfredo Sánchez, among those who dominated their events and improved their records were Juan Carley with 18.84 meters in the shot put, Maher Salah (3:52.89 in the 1500) and pole vaulter Aslín Quiala (4.30 meters), all of them very young.

Three of the possible participants in the world youth championships in Cali achieved minimum marks for the competition: Liliet Cabrera (400 c/v-59.69 seconds), Alejandro Parada (long jump-7.72 meters) and Aniel Molina (long jump-7.57 meters).