Only one sport boasts to have garnered at least a title for Cuba in recent Olympic events from Barcelona 1992. Even boxing doesn’t hold that distinction. A discipline that also has not been free of desertions, lack of competitive events, disciplinary analysis, but that dictates at least two reasonable elements: the wisdom of the trainers and the innate talent of its exponents.
Wrestling, in both modalities, is currently sold as a spearhead in each multi-sport tournament. This Monday starts in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, its world championships, the place where seven Cuban gladiators, three Greco-Roman and four in freestyle, dream to win a title.
OnCuba spoke with Julio Mendieta, head coach of the men’s national team of freestyle wrestling in order to know his expectations in this event.
How does the technical direction asses the current status of the members of the team?
“In general, the team was prepared very well, with regard to raising the technical-tactical level, and looking for the right choice for athletes, according to the assigned amount”.
The group was finally formed by Yowlis Bonne, Pan American bronze in the 61 kg division; Livan Lopez (74 kg), third in London Olympics and second in the world championships last year in Moscow, Russia; Reineris “The Gymnast” Salas (86 kg), twice medalist in these events; and newcomer Javier Cortina (97), one of the rising young talents in this specialty.
“It is hard to have training bouts in Cuba, because here they become repetitive, because every month we make fights between the figures of the categories. Notwithstanding this, we have sought alternatives in search of not decreasing the number of confrontations. The most cumbersome comes for not having elite practitioners to fight with, rather than on dissimilar occasions even better than the constant rubbing against lower level fighters. But still, the work was intense, after the changes in the regulations and divisions. ”
Before arriving in the competition the Cubans had a basic training in Europe, getting used to the use of time and looking for the finishing touches ahead of the opening day.
“The preparation is on schedule and lays the foundation for future events. The goal is to return with more than a medal and we have sufficient quality to it.”
In this 2014, despite the repeated failure to attend international tournaments, significant results were achieved in the qualifying for the Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico and the Pan American Sports Festival, what is the status of the Cuban wrestling right now?
“The changes implemented maintained the discipline in the Olympic context, the dynamism of old returns, where the referees do not affect the outcome and the athlete attacks and defends. This is good for us and we have shown it since implementation of the amendments. The momentum extends to the Greek, with tickets to the continental championship to be held in Toronto, Canada, the upcoming season, and also for the ladies. This will be evident in the month of November during the oldest regional competition in the world. ”
The delegation is completed by the presence of star Mijaín López, twice Olympic champion and four times universal king, now in its new division of 130 pounds; Pablo Shorey (86) and Ismael Borrero (59), who also seeks to ne in the awards podium. These are under the aegis of recognized head coach Pedro Val.
The competition will run until the 14th, and will open today with the dispute in freestyle divisions in 57, 70, 86 and 125 kilograms.
