Judo

Marius Vizer, president of the International Judo Federation, arrived in Havana on Thursday to carry out a working agenda.
Vizer told reporters that he would exchange views and arrange details with local authorities on issues related to the Havana 2016 Judo Grand Prix.
This event will take place in January next year and will grant points for the world ranking of this martial art towards the 2016 Summer Olympics.
He also recognized the good organization of the first event in Havana 2014 at Sports City Coliseum, with the participation of 297 athletes from 40 nations. Georgia, with three gold and two bronze medals, Cuba (2-2-4) and France (2-2-1) took the top three positions in the standings.

The official said the judo federation will work jointly with the Cuban Judo Federation and the Sports Institute of Cuba to achieve another successful tournament.

Soccer

Nicaragua defeated Cuba's Under 23 squad by a score of 1 to 0 on Thursday in the first of two friendly matches at the Pedro Marrero Stadium in Havana.
At 60 minutes, Bryan Garcia was fouled in the penalty area and the referee awarded the penalty, efficiently taken by striker Carlos Chavarria who plays for the club Real Esteli in the Nicaraguan league.
Besides these two players, Nicaragua's other highlights went to central defenders Oscar Lopez and Erick Tellez, who managed to stop the attacking attempts of the locals who in turn lost some scoring opportunities.
These two matches ( the next one will be on Friday, behind closed doors) are not enough for our team, but we must take advantage of those at our disposal and that was what we did, Raul Gonzalez, the Cuban coach, told reporters.

Baseball

Leader and current champ Ciego de Ávila divided points with its closest follower Granma on a day marked by Villa Clara's win over Industriales in one excellent domestic classic of the Cuban baseball championships.

In the first game, Ciego de Ávila beat Granma by a score of 4-2 with outstanding offensive by Osvaldo Vázquez and Yorelvis Charles with two homers. However, Granma retaliated and won the second 4-3 with leading role by shortstop Adrián Moreno, outfielder Guillermo Avilés and catcher Alexander Guerra with a home run each.

Industriales filed its fourth consecutive defeat and moved away from the top of the standings after losing to Villa Clara 3-2 with credit for releaver Yanny Delgado who allowed only two hits in four and half innings.

In other games, Holguín beat Cienfuegos 4-3. Pinar del Río defeated runner up champion Isla de la Juventud 3-2.

Sancti Spíritus responded to Guantanamo with a win by shut out 6-0.

Ulfrido García only allowed two hits in seven and a half innings of pitching to influence in the Santiago de Cuba victory over Artemisa 3-0 as Mayabeque defeated Camagüey by a score of 6-2 with two homers by Alexander Pozo, Raiko Romero and Orlando Lavandera.