Fernando Arzola

Havana, May 30 (JIT).- Cuba celebrated victories by Erislandy Álvarez, Fernando Arzola and Jorge Cuéllar on the day of the Bangkok 2024 Pre-Olympic Boxing Tournament that marked the farewell of Yaquelín Estornell.

Erislandy (63.5 kg) needed to work hard to beat Ukrainian Yaroslav Khartstyz 3-2 and celebrate for the third time in the Thai capital.

Arzola (+92 kg) had a 5-0 debut over the Mexican Javier Cruz and Cuéllar reached four successes by similarly disposing of the Belgian Mohamed Rachem as a result of a work praised by his coaches.

Yaquelín's setback came after standing firm against the experienced Canadian Sara Kali, who was awarded a 5-0 ruling.

What happened this Wednesday placed Erislandy and Cuéllar within one win of direct places for Paris, a step that they will try to complete on Friday, when the first will cross blows with the Kazakh Bazarbay Mukhammedsaby, and his partner will compete with the Polish Damián Durkacz.

Members of the Cuban delegation commented that Mukhammedsaby is a left-handed player who works cross-court punches well and strongly, but they also considered that the Cuban has the resources to neutralize those tools.

Arzola, still in demand from two other players, will return to the arena on Saturday as an opponent of the Mongolian Byeknur Khali.