Julio Cesar la Cruz (l) delivers a punch

Guantánamo, May 21 (JIT) - The presence of the men qualified by Cuba for the upcoming Olympic competition will provide special emphasis to the Playa Girón 2024 National Boxing Tournament, which begins here this Wednesday.

They are Julio César la Cruz from Camagüey (92 kg), the home idol Arlen López (80), Cienfuegos native Saidel Horta (57 kg) and Alejandro Claro from Sancti Spiritus (51 kg).

The first three shone in the event corresponding to the previous season, held last January in Sancti Spíritus, where Claro lost the title to Giorvis Salfrán who this time will have the support of his fans.

La Cruz and Arlen will once again be favorites, just over two months after attempting their third reigns under the five rings, even though the rise of Nelson Williams from Camagüey, current monarch in the 86 kilos, gives more solidity to the division of the Camagüey native. captain of the Cuban navy.

Horta also seems called to repeat at the top of the podium, in the midst of the progression that he will seek to validate at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which the Island intends to attend with a complete men's team and be represented in the women's competition. .

The opportunity to meet these objectives will come from Thursday in Bangkok, capital of Thailand. Erislandy Álvarez (63.5 kg), Jorge Cuéllar (71 kg), Alejandro Arzola (+92 kg) and Yaquelín Estornell (66 kg) have been training there for a week.

This is the reason for the non-registration of the men in the domestic competition, which will receive the return of the pinañero Lázaro Álvarez (63.5 kg) and will distribute medals in 10 weight categories, because unlike what happened on the banks of the Yayabo, the 86 kilos.

It is worth remembering that the thirteenth dominance exercised then equaled La Cruz with Félix Savón from Guantanamo at the top of the most historical winners, which means that, if the predictions come true, this will belong to him alone from next Sunday.