Usain Bolt still Leader in PL Sports Poll

Jamaican sprinters Usain Bolt and Shelly Ann Fraser added new votes in favor in the sports poll of Cuban news agency Prensa Latina, to select the best athletes from Latin America and the Caribbean in 2015.
Bolt, three-time gold medalist at the World Athletics Championship in Beijing 2015 (100 flat meters, 200 flat meters and the 4x100 relay) got his 6th vote, thanks to Cuban radio station Radio Varadero, so he widened his edge over Argentinean pro soccer player Lionel Messi, who has 3 votes.

Radio Varadero gave its vote to female sprinter Shelly Ann Fraser (Jamaica) for Best Female Athlete of the Year, and now Fraser obtained his 4th vote, just one behind Cuban pole vaulter Yarisley Silva (leader, with 5 votes).

The boxing team of Cuba was supported by Radio Varadero and kept the top position with nine votes for Best Team of the Year.

Finally, Radio Varadero selected among the most outstanding athletes of the year the names of Cuban Mijail Lopez (wrestling), Julio Cesar La Cruz (boxing), Yarisley Silva (athletics) and Dania Caballero (athletics), plus Colombian triple jumper Caterine Ibarguen.

From its beginning up to now, participation in the Prensa Latina annual survey is made by this Cuban news agency (print, radio, television and electronic media) and not as individuals.

The votes should be sent to deportes@prensa-latina.cu and will be accepted until Monday, December 21. The survey results will be released a day later.

Judo
Cuba´s National Judo Commissioner Rafael Manzo was selected Development Director of the new board of the Pan American Judo Confederation during an extraordinary Congress held in Miami, Florida.
In statements to Jit sports online newspaper, Manso characterized the decision as recognition to Cuba´s judo performance worldwide.
He added this corresponds to Cuba´s work and recognition in the discipline. Manso also said that this is a commitment to maintain the advances of the current programs of the International Judo Federation.
The Cuban Judo Commissioner was not able to attend the Congress due to Washington´s denial to issue an entry visa to participate in the event held at Miami Milton Airport Hotel with the attendance of 22 nations. The congress approved new regulations of the confederation.
However, Manso celebrated Cuba´s recognition in the field and thanks the International Judo Federation, especially its President Marius Vizer for supporting the discipline on the island.
Manuel Larrañaga from Mexico was unanimously selected as new President while Canadian Michael Tamura was reelected its Vice President, Uruguayan Ignacio Aloise as General Secretary.
Also selected were Chilean Aquiles Gomez (Treasurer), Puerto Rican Porfirio Garcia (Director of Education) and Bolivian Juan Jose Paz (Solidarity).
Selected as Directors during the first meeting were Peruvian Carlos Zagarra (Sports), Cuban Uvelino Moreno (Doctor), Argentinean Ovidio Garnero (Referee), Mexican Liliana Estrada (Ethics) and US Jose Humberto Rodriguez (administration).

Badminton
Cuba's badminton team was beaten by Spain in five games on Thursday at the World Cadet Badminton Championship in Lima, Peru.
However,  the Cubans comes third in group C-2 after Spain and Thailand. Cuba won over South Africa by score of 5-0 on Wednesday.
The Caribbean team could not repeat Wednesday's performance and the Spanish double mix Miren Josebe Azcue-Alejo Javier Ibeas beat Cubans Adriana Artiz-Ángel Herrera in 20 minutes by 21-19 and 21-10 in the first game of the second day of events.
Spanish men individual Álvaro Vázquez defeated Cuban Bryan Véliz by score of 5-21, 21-6 and 21-19 in a more balanced two sets of the game extended to 41 minutes as women individual Clara Azurmendi succeeded Melissa Azcuy by 21-4  and 21-10.
Men double Manuel Brea-Alejo Javier Ibeas achieved the victory over Ángel Herrera and Bryan Véliz by 21-9 and 21-10 in 18 minutes. Women double  Miren Josebe Azcue- Clara Azurmendi beat Adriana Artiz -  Melissa Azcuy by scored of 21-6 and 21-11 in 17 minutes.
Cuba plays Costa Rica on Friday after its game with Thailand.
Singapore defeated Chile on Thursday and is leading group C-1 unbeaten with three wins followed by Indonesia and Chile.