Lecture by Doctor of Science Iván Román

Havana, October 9 (RHC)-- Doctor of Science Iván Román will be exalted this 2021 to the Weightlifting Hall of Fame of the American continent, informed the president of the Cuban Federation of that sport, Jorge Luis Barcelán.

After the votes of the Pan American Weightlifting Federation (FPLP), in addition to Román (referee), coaches Luis Carlos Arrieta and Jaibert Manjares (Colombia), weightlifters Lenox Tibaux and Rodney Wilques (Trinidad and Tobago) and executive Andrés Vargas (Puerto Rico) were selected.

Iván Román, author of several publications on sports topics, has an extensive and outstanding track record in weightlifting, Cuban television reported in announcing the news.

For years he was head of the weightlifting department of the Manuel Fajardo Higher Institute of Physical Culture (ISCF) and an international referee with the highest category of the International Weightlifting Federation.   He attended three Olympic Games as a referee: Barcelona-92. Atlenta 96 and Sydney-2000.

Considered a notable specialist in science applied to sports, Román has assumed with great professionalism several responsibilities in the sports field inside and outside Cuba.

The Weightlifting Hall of Fame in the continent was created in 2020, in an online ceremony because of the pandemic, and 27 personalities of this sport were exalted.

Cuba was the country with the highest number of honorees last year, with 11, distributed among six weightlifters, three coaches, one manager and one official.

Last year's honorees included former top weightlifters Sergio Alvarez, Julio Echenique and Pastor Rodriguez, manager Marcelino del Frade, and coaches Ramon Madrigal and Manuel Suarez, among others.