Havana, October 28 (JIT) -- Another would have given up in the face of the uncertainty associated with setbacks, but Cuban boxer Arlen Lopez grows before those and ratified it with the conquest of his third title in Pan American Games.
That's why the emotion took hold of him when the 5-0 verdict turned his dominance over the Brazilian Wanderley de Souza Pereira into a triumph, whose progression demonstrated with the conquest of the world subtitle in the current season was not enough.
The star from Guantanamo took over the 82 kilogram belt with authority and got rid of the thorns of the slips in the world championship itself and the Central American and Caribbean Games of San Salvador 2023.
And if that were not enough, he increased the select group of three-time champions at this stage, joining Rolando Garbey, Orestes Solano, Julio González, Félix Savón and Lázaro Álvarez, only surpassed by Julio César La Cruz who hours before reached four crowns by winning in the 92 kg.
As it happened in his previous outing, he hammered with his jab, stood to the right or left, as he considered appropriate, and projected prestige between the ropes. He released good straight punches and complemented his attack with swings and hooks that assigned variety.
"We studied the opponent well, detailing on his characteristics to define what to do, and from the corner they guided me at all times," explained the two-time Olympic champion, satisfied with the performance that allowed him to drive the pace of the fight to close all doors to doubts.
"We set out to show the quality of the Cuban school and it is nice to achieve it with a gold that increases the harvest of our delegation," Arlen said before reiterating his gratitude to those who trusted and contributed to his reunion with the level he intends to sustain in search of a third smile under the five rings.
The show in the Chilean capital came hours after La Cruz stole the show at the Olympic Training Center where there was applause for his becoming the first four-time champion in the main event of the American sport.
The culmination of the feat demanded the idol from Camagüey to undo the illusions of Brazilian Keno Machado, whom he edged 4-1 for the 92 "kilos" lead after the judges saw him lose the intermediate act.
"Happy for having responded to my condition of flag-bearer", said the two-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion in a dialogue in which he dedicated the medal "to the people of Cuba, to my mother, to my family and to all those who have made it possible for me to be here today".
Cuba was on the verge of the young universal runner-up Saidel Horta (57 kg) to win a third sash, initially predicted for the consecrated Lázaro Álvarez (63.5 kg), whose elimination marked the section of surprises.
However, the officials deprived him of what seemed to be a success forged on the basis of cleverly delivered impacts from long distance. They declared the winner by a 5-0 decision to the American Jahmal Harvey, world champion in 2021.
But the Cienfuegos native refused to let the setback tarnish the joy associated with his good performance. He also returns home with the Olympic qualification, confirmed in his ability to pass over obstacles such as yielding in the Central Caribbean event in San Salvador.
"The goal was not fully achieved, but I will enjoy this silver, willing to continue training, focused, with a lot of discipline, which is essential, and ready for new battles," he said.
The Island team completed its harvest with a bronze medal won by Fernando Arzola (+92 kg) and a 2-1-1 balance that allowed them to lead the men's division, where in addition to Lázaro, Alejandro Claro (51 kg) and Jorge Cuéllar went without prizes.
Third in the general ranking, after Brazil (4-5-3) and the United States (2-2-1), the armada also included the women Arianne Imbert (66 kg), Yakelín Estornell (75 kg) and Legnis Calá (55 kg), protagonist of the only victory in the debut of the Cubans at this stage.
