Baseball
Rain forced to re-schedule for Monday the opening friendly baseball game between a team from the American University of Pennsylvania and 4 Cuban teams. Fans at the capital's Latinoamericano Stadium were rained-out on Sunday to witness the clash between the US team and the Cuban multi-champion team of Industriales, so both teams are scheduled to play Monday afternoon, as the visitors had some other academic programs in the morning that included lectures and other activities.
Besides facing capital's Industriales, visitors will also encounter the current national champion, Ciego de Avila on Wednesday, November 25th, Mayabeque on the 27th to close with Matanzas on Saturday, the 28th.
In other baseball news, it was announced that the Cuban Baseball Biographical Encyclopedia (Volume I-XIX century), by reserachers Juan A. Martínez de Osaba, Félix Julio Alfonso and Yasel Porto, will be presented in Havana the on Saturday, November 28th.
The text, which will consist of 4 volumes, includes the development and evolution of Cuban baseball, since its arrival and the subsequent melting process within our nationality from its amateur status, through the semi-professionalism and professionalism stages in the last decade of the century.
The Encyclopedia shows the work of each player, manager, referees and other persons who have been involved with Cuba's national sport as well as the evolution of the General League of Baseball of the Island of Cuba, its 1st name.
The presentation will be held at the Plaza de Armas, opposite to the Palace of the Captains General in Old Havana.
Judo
The stellar Cuban judoka Asley González won the silver medal in the 90 kg division at the close of the Grand Prix of Qingdao, China, to mark the best performance among the 5 Cubans presented.
After winning 4 bouts by Ippon, González, world champion and Olympic silver, fell in the final by Wazari in Golden Rule facing the Japanese Kenta Nagasawa, and with that result totaled 180 points for the world ranking. He was ratified as one of Cuba's most likely figures to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.
Among the remaining 4 Cubans, Idalys Ortiz closed in the 7th seat in +78 kg, and Yalennis Armenteros and José Castillo at 100 and 78 kg., respectively, only won in the initial tops, while Alex Garcia in +100 lost in his first outing for Shido.
So, Cuba is ranked 10th with 0-1-1, added the bronze medal of Maricet Espinosa (63 kg) in a medal table led by Japan (5-1-3) and Mongolia (2-2-2).
The 10 Cuban judokas will reappear in the Grand Prix of Jeju, South Korea, from November 26th to the 28th, the penultimate official event of the International Judo Federation for this year, which closes with the Grand Slam of Tokyo, Japan.
Badminton
Cuba's Osleni Guerrero beat American Howard Shu, 21-11 and 21-16 in the final of IX International Badminton Tournament of Suriname and thus retained the crown, which he dedicated to his mother, María, for her endless love and support.
In the South American country's capital, Paramaribo, Osleni became king for the 3rd consecutive year and added 2500 points for the world ranking, which in turn defines the 40 seats in the single category to Rio de Janeiro 2016.
In 34 min. the Cuban completed the victory over a rival who had already borne him twice in 2013, the same amount in 2014, and this year's Giraldilla of Havana Tournament.
Oleni now travels to Rio de Janeiro to attend the Grand Prix of Brazil from the 24th-29th which will be attended by global figures such as Chinese Lin Dan (3rd), who ended 5th in the world cap in 2015; the Spanish Pablo Abián (35th), and the Israeli Misha Zilberman (48th).
AFIDE 2015 Kicks Off With Record Attendance
A record number of over 750 delegates from 40 countries is taking part in the 6th International Convention on Physical Activity and Sports (AFIDE 2015), which began at the Havana's Palace of Conventions on Monday.
The participants, 453 of them foreigners, will discuss how to promote the proper exchange, promotion and dissemination of physical activity in workshops, symposia and conferences.
Luis del Toro, Vice-rector of the University of Sciences of Physical Culture and Sports (UCCFD), said the objective of the Convention is the "exchange of the latest scientific advances and experiences in the sport."
Several conferences, including that of the Master Antonio Becali, holder of the Cuba's National Institute of Physical Education, Sports and Recreation (INDER), will be held during the event.
Participants will also attend book presentations and exhibitions, visit the Havana Anti-Doping Laboratory, and dialogue with local sports legends.
Wrestling
Julio Mendieta, head coach of the Cuban wrestling, concerning the participation of the Cuban team in two international tournaments later this year, said Cuba will attend with their national teams, first to France and then to Iran, the latter brings together the best 12 countries worldwide.
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Then, the Cuban coach stressed that these stops come at a good time because they serve as the needed training and competitive base that breaks the framework of local training we observe throughout the year while acting as a qualifier top for next February.
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Finally, asked about the main characteristic of the Iranian classic, the Cuban coach said it is very important because it not only covers all Iranian teams, but also the best exponents of the world powers of Russia, Germany, Georgia, USA, etc., facing one another at least 6 times.
