Alayo and Díaz

Havana, Aug 26 (JIT) - Cubans Noslen Diaz and Jorge Luis Alayo won the gold medal undefeated in the phase held in Kazan corresponding to the National Beach Volleyball Championship of Russia 2024.

The main Antillean duo overcame 2-1 (21-16, 15-21, 15-11) the best-ranked local duo in this round, formed by Alexey Arkhipov and Dmitry Veretyuk, leaders of the Obninsk club, reports colleague Roberto Garcia, in Cubavisión Internacional.  

For Diaz and Alayo, outstanding in their Olympic debut in Paris and ranked tenth in the world list, this is the most resounding triumph in Russia, as last year they won a pair of bronze medals in the same number of competitions.

Cuba was also represented by the first female duo of Yenifer Rivera and Maykelin Drik, and the second male duo represented by Guantanameros Damian Gomez and Eblis Veranes, who finished in 9th to 16th place in their respective genders.

Last July, these two couples were invited to the final stop of the Russia Cup, where the men finished in ninth place and their partners in 17th place.

The group, which is completed by the coaches of the men's national team Francisco Álvarez Cutiño and Walfrido Salas; the women's team coach Alain Hernández and international referee Erick Martínez, will continue their trip to the city of Anapa, where they will be present at the final of the championship, scheduled for September 5 to 8.