Photo: Roberto Morejon (JIT)

Havana, July 7 (RHC)-- Cuban sabre fencers were crowned champions in the team competition of the XXIV Central American and Caribbean Games.

Leidis Veranes, Narianna Portuondo, Orquídea Ferrer and Elizabeth Hidalgo were about to leave the competition empty-handed, because in the quarterfinals they won a "heart-stopping" victory over the Colombians, with a score of 45-44.

Then, in the semifinals, they had to "tighten up" to beat the Mexicans, the event's bronze medalists, 45-40.

Thus, the table was set for a final against the Dominican Republic, which eliminated Guatemala and Venezuela.

Veranes, Portuondo and Ferrer lined up for the gold medal.

Veranes and Portuondo took advantage, Ferrer gave a little, they breathed again and again the scoreboard was closed. In the last moments of the game, the "aura" of defeat settled in, as the scoreboard showed an adverse 43-44.

However, on the piste was Veranes, the double champion of the individual tournament, able to link two "zarpazos" and send the crown to Cuba.

The entire women's sabre event of these Games was won by the Cubans. Five years ago, in Barranquilla 2018, it had not been possible. Veranes commanded solo, but the group finished third.

"Very excited. How I suffered in this team event. Thank you that we won the gold medal because we no longer knew how to look at the teacher. We made a big sacrifice, every day in training, but the result came out," commented Ferrer very excited.  

"Very hard, but we achieved the result we came for. It took a long time, but this is where the result came out. In the difficult moments I thought we were going to win because Leidis is the champion and there are no words to describe her work," added Portuondo.

Yosmel Rodríguez Laferté, the team's coach, highlighted the route followed in the competition, especially the success in the semifinals against a Mexico that had beaten them several times before.

He recognized the courage of the girls, the leadership of Veranes and their insistence in not getting desperate or giving opportunities to their rivals.

He considered the crowning of the individual and team events as a dream, especially because of the difficulties faced in the preparation.

The foilists also shot during the day, but lost in the quarterfinals to the Puerto Ricans, the eventual champions.

This Friday, on the last day of fencing, the epee (f) and sabre (m) team events will be disputed.