Fishing
Cuba leads the 64th International Marlin Fishing Tournament, "Ernest Hemingway," in which 22 boats from 10 countries have been competing since Monday to capture the finest specimen.
In it's first official appearance (according to the records of the last two decades) as a team, the island is currently lying in first place with 1,724.5 points accumulated in the first two days of the event, that concludes on Saturday at the 'Residencial Marina'.
Under the name 'Santy', to honor the father of three of its five members, the Cuban team has managed to score three Marlins and five Dorados to date, which gives them 500 points more than second place, according to the results released by the organizers.
“This demonstrates the preparation and experience of the group of fishermen who represent, not only the village community of Jaimanita, but also all the lovers of fishing in Cuba who wish to participate in the prestigious event,” Carlos Fonseca, one of the members of the national crew, said to ACN.
The boat, Rebel Yell, of Spain, is in second place with 1,149 points while Macondo III, of Canada, is next with 1,119 thousand points.
Other results are that the Cuban team has the largest Dorado (40.5 lbs); and the Canadian, Macondo III, the first catch of Marlin.
After two days of intense fishing, the 63 anglers rested on Thursday, and today resume their adventure at sea to catch the finest specimen, and continue the tradition promoted by Hemingway in the 1950s.
Convened by the Business Group of Boating and Marinas and the Hemingway International Yacht Club; crews from France, USA, Mexico, Italy, UK, Latvia and the Cayman Islands, are also competing for the tournament cup, one of the oldest of its kind in the world.
Only preceded by the Tuna World Cup in Nova Scotia, and the Tarpon Tournament in Mexico, the "Hemingway" has become a bridge to bring Cuba to the international sailing community and enhance the attractiveness of the Antillean archipelago.
Cuban delegation to World Youth Athletics Increases
Cuba increased to 18 the number of athletes to represent it in the World Athletics Championships in the junior category, scheduled to be held from 22 to 27 July in Eugene, United States.
The triple jumper Lazaro Martinez, junior world champion in this event last year, tops the list of the Cuban delegation to attend this important event.
The list of those registered from the outset also included Yorgelis Rodríguez (heptathlon), Sahily Diago(800 meters), Liadagmis Povea (triple jump), Santiago Ford (decathlon) and Saily Viart (shot put).
To those were added Andy Diaz (triple jump), Arialis Gandulla, (200m), Jose Gaspar (400m hurdles) and Gilda Casanova (400 m).
According to the National Athletic Commission, another eight athletes will participate in the competition; Zuriáman Echevarría and Leandro Zamora, both in the 400 meter hurdles, José Luis Despaigne (long jump) and Dianelis Duttil (high jump).
Sprinters Reynier Mena and Yaniel Carrero, who are venturing into the 100 and 200 m levels; and the short hurdler Roger Valentine Iribarne will also attend Eugene.
Cuba has accumulated 23 gold medals, 25 silver and 19 bronze in the World Youth Athletics Championships, which place it in seventh place by country of all time.
In the last edition of Barcelona 2012, the harvest was three titles and a bronze medal.
In that event on Spanish soil, heptathlist Rodriguez was one of the kings, while the short hurdler, Yordan O'Farrill, and triple jumper, Pedro Pablo Pichardo, took golds.
Badminton
A group of 7 badminton players travelled to Venezuela yesterday to take part in the III Torneo Internacional, which is taking place 19-22 June.
Leading this contingent is Osleni Guerrero, world ranked 57, who will defend the crown he gained in 2013, when he won against Guatemalan, Humblerd Heymard, in the final, 21-14 and 21-16.
His compatriots, Ernesto Reyes, Leodanis Martínez and Bryan Veliz will join him in the male competition and in the women's classification will be Ana Pérez, Taimara Oropeza and Adriana Artiz.
The tournament will serve these caribbean players as preparation with a view to the Centro-American and Caribbean Games taking place in Veracruz, Mexico in November.
According to the trainer Roberto Mollendo, Cuba could gain, in this sporting event, two golds in the men's singles and a medal in the doubles, for which hopes are high for Guerrero.
Best racket in the Americas, Pan Guadalajara 2011 runner-up, and winner of seven crowns last season, his best word-ranking is 49, which he reached last November.
