Damián Gómez-Eblis Veranes

Havana, Sept 25 (JIT) - The Cuban duos of Damian Gomez-Eblis Veranes and Maykelin Drik-Mileidy Paret will attend in the coming days the under-23 phase of the Norceca beach volleyball circuit, in search of quotas for the II Junior Pan American Games of Asuncion 2025.

The tournament, scheduled for October 7-9, will be held in Punta Cana, but before that, and in the Dominican resort itself, they will compete from October 2-5 in the seventh round of the renowned tour of the North, Central American and Caribbean confederation.

Walfrido Salas and Iván Anibal Dipoté, coaches of the men's and women's teams, in that order, will accompany the home team.

“Our aspirations are to qualify, although in this category there is a lot of rivalry because the teams have a high level and have competed,” said Salas, experienced coach of the men's national preselection.

“The main opponents should be the duos of the United States, Canada and Mexico. Others to watch out for, without a doubt, are Puerto Rico, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic,” he told JIT.

He added that “the boys have prepared quite well, and with the tour we had in Russia we have competed. Now they are in the last phase and they look in good physical and technical-tactical condition.

Gómez and Veranes are natives of the province of Guantánamo. The coach qualifies the first as the most phlegmatic, but strong and self-confident, while his partner is more aggressive on the court, combative and guide of the duo.

“That's why they have excellent chemistry and make a good couple,” he said about the second duet of the island.

Both attended the second stop of the Norceca circuit in May, in Varadero, where they finished ninth, and then an invitational tournament in Morocco, where they won the bronze medal.

In July they took part in the Russian Cup and a month later in the national championship of that Eurasian nation, where in both phases they finished 9th to 16th among 32 outstanding local couples and accumulated valuable experience by facing world-class players.

Prior to the departure to Punta Cana next Tuesday, Salas insists on working on some isolated elements, where Eglis and Damian have difficulties.

“But they are ready for this commitment, focused on the goal of achieving the qualification and give a joy to the people, who always enjoy all the triumphs of our athletes,” said the veteran trainer.