Yorgelis Rodriguez

Havana, June 20 (JIT) - Yorgelis Rodriguez's personal best in the javelin throw stood out in the final day of the Barrientos Memorial of Athletics that returned to the Cuban scene after three years of absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The star heptalonist of the national team threw 49.76 meters and improved by 20 centimeters her previous record, achieved in Gotzis 2021. 

Yorgelis has had several seasons of injuries and uncertainty regarding her state of health.

"The fundamental thing is to regain confidence and she has that. The fact of throwing her mark in javelin encourages her a lot and although it is true that she is still not completely well in her right leg, she has been assimilating all the work we are doing", acknowledged coach Gabino Arzola.

The national record holder in the heptathlon is one of the Cubans who qualified for the world championship in Oregon (July 15 to 24).

Other winners were javelinist Yiselena Ballar, still a junior, with 57.98 meters, ahead of Yorgelis herself, world indoor triple jump world champion Lázaro Martínez with 16.96 meters, discus world champion Yaimé Pérez, with 63.30, triple jumper Liadagmis Povea, with 14.34 m, sprinter Shainer Reginfo, with 10.16 in 100 meters, and Olympic 400m finalist Roxana Gómez with 51.86.