Yarisleidis Cirilo

Havana, Sept. 17 (JIT) - Cuban canoeist Yarisleidis Cirilo Duboys, Olympic bronze medalist in Paris, received on Monday the Award to the Best Female Athlete of the Year 2023 granted by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) America.

The Nicaraguan Moisés Ávalos, first vice-president of AIPS America, presented her with the award in a simple ceremony organized in one of the headquarters of the José Martí International Institute of Journalism of the Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC).

“I am happy, very happy, for me this is exciting and important”, expressed to those present the also world champion and of the Pan American Games of Santiago 2023 in the canoe C-1 200 meters, accompanied by the president of the Cuban Federation of Canoeing, Alejandro Hamze, and the head of the UPEC, Ricardo Ronquillo.

AIPS America Award

There, in an improvised press conference, journalists from seven Latin American nations talked with the youngest member of the Cuban Parliament.

The students of the 17th edition of the International Postgraduate Course in Sports Journalism learned first-hand about the athlete's sacrifice, her trainers' efforts and other details of the preparation of an Olympic canoeist. 

Vice President Avalos took the opportunity to learn more about the work of the award-winning Guantanamera and received recognition from UPEC for the contribution of AIPS America to the celebration of the aforementioned postgraduate courses on the island.

AIPS America gives awards to outstanding sports journalists and media in various categories. In 2023 it included:

- Best Press Center: 2023 Santiago Pan American Games.

- Best Team: Mexico Women's National Soccer Team.

- Best Male Athlete: Ronald Acuña (Baseball/Venezuela). 

In addition, AIPS America organizes the IASJ Sport Media Awards, which recognize the best work in sports journalism worldwide in categories such as photography, video, audio and writing.