II Youth Olympics

Cuba had a commendable performance at the 2nd Youth Olympics, which is entering its last day of competitions today in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing, said the head of that delegation, Heriberto Suárez.

In statements by phone to Cuban Prensa Latina news agency, Suárez recalled that with only 12 contestants, his country will bring home 2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medals, as well as a 5th and 6th places with Olympic certificates.

The medals went to boxers Javier Ibáñez (56 kg) and Yordán Hernández (81 kg), both gold, Alain Limonta (60 kg), silver, while Iván Felipe Silva (81 kg) won bronze in judo. Olympic certificates were awarded to Orlando Sotolongo (6th in rowing) and Hector Bauza (5th in canoe).

"Cuba was also the only country to win 2 gold and 1 silver medals in boxing, thanks to its disciplined group of athletes, and once at home, we will have to resolve some technical issues that remain in some disciplines," said the expert who added they all will keep on working with the reserve athletes at the Sports Initiation Schools and that the 3rd Youth Olympics, scheduled in Buenos Aires in 2018, will be a new challenge. "Surely we will make a better performance," he stressed.

He also thanked the Cuban delegation for the hospitality extended by the Chinese to the athletes, the work of the volunteers who participated in these Youth Olympics and the Organizing Committee for their excellent work.

This 2nd Youth Olympics opened on August 16th with a memorable ceremony attended by President Xi Jinping and will end tomorrow with an activity that will be led by Premier Li Keqiang.

The event was attended by nearly 4,000 athletes from 204 countries and regions, competing in 28 sports.

Baseball

Cuban 3rd baseman, Yulieski Gourriel, reappeared with a homer at the Japanese professional baseball, and helped his team, the Yokohama DeNA Baystars, to defeat 7-0 to the Chunichi Dragons on Tuesday.

After 1 month and a half of medical treatment and resting because of injuries to the obliques on his left side, the star performed 2 sets of rehabilitation within the Minor Leagues last week to regain tone and was appointed 3rd in the alignment of Yokohama, a position held before being injured, Cuban Granma newspaper reported.

Though in his 1st at bat he took a punch, he homered in the 4th episode to reliever Shinji Tajima, and then failed in 2 highs. On defense, he played 2nd base without any errors and did a couple of double play.

After this result, Yulieski averaged 336, with 7 home runs, 11 doubles, 17 RBIs and 28 runs scored, a performance that places him as one of the bulwarks of his squad, which has felt much his absence in the final stretch of the tournament.

Judo
Cuba closed without medals in the 3rd day of the World Judo Championship played in the Russian city of Chelyabinsk after their trump cards, Aliuska Ojeda, at 57 kg. and Magdiel Estrada, at 73, could not advance to discuss the first places in their respective categories.

So, Cuba, with 1 bronze medal of Celia Maria Laborde (48) and 2 fifth places Dayaris Mestre (48) and Yanet Bermoy (52), ranks 10th place by country, after 3 days of competition, a journey led by Japan with 4 crowns, while Argentina, with 1 silver of Paula Pareto, in the 48 kg, running in front of Latin-American nations.

This Thursday on the 4th date, Cuba will only compete with Maylin Del Toro, at 63 kg, who faces the Salvadoran Catota Karla in her 1st match, and if she wins, she would meet in 2nd round with Belarusian Daniela Kasanoi.