Cuba returned to the top of the oldest regional event in the world after 16 days of intense struggle, fraternal battles, strategies and positive and negative results. The 123 Cuban titles were more than the 115 crowns reached by a local Mexican who sold their defeat dearly and paved the way towards maintaining the supremacy of four years ago in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, when the island was absent and the road was clear.
During this period there were great moments and outstanding performances in general, those that make us vibrate, keep in suspense and force us to shout for joy or head down to sigh deeply. OnCuba selected the ten most sublime feats of the Cuban delegation, with no order and aware of the absence of some who made enough credits and deserve to be here.
Ten great feats of Cuba in the XXII Central American and Caribbean Games:
Soccer: Just some lost their voice with the goal of Yordan Santa Cruz, although all suffered with the missed penalty, but the work was already done. For nearly a decade, maybe since that World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica under the reins of the Peruvian Miguel Company, foreign clubs concentrated all soccer comments on our soil. However, after the heroics of the U-21, the names of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were replaced a few days by others as Maikel Reyes, Abel Martinez and others. Carlo Ancelotti or Pep Guardiola were left aside and Raul Gonzalez Triana and his technical team gained prominence. The match against Mexico made the country go to bed a little later and to think of the future, thinking big.
Andy González: Andy Gonzalez ran the final meters as if they were the last of his life. The straight track of the Heriberto Jara Corona Stadium was his best ally. In the 1500-meter, known distance but which he had barely has competed, Andy left everyone speechless. His large strides, his long arm movement, his desire to arrive, but arrive first, filled us with pride. Now for his real specialty, the 800 meters, we all waited expectantly another crown, without knowing, perhaps, that in the race were men of ample quality to dispute the golden metal. Andy, again, moved his legs fast enough to pass the goal, fall, look at the board, be sure of victory and raise his left hand and make, also with his long fingers, a number two. All remained silent and understood.
Marlies Mejias: At 13 she rode a bicycle for the first time and according to her own statements her twin sister was much better than her pedaling. An illness deprived her twin to continue in active sport. This was an incentive to move forward and improve, train hard and forgo some benefits of youth. Marlies Mejias took Veracruz to her feet, and made it hers. Five gold medals in speed and endurance tests were enough for this girl to steal Cubans hearts
Artistic Gymnastics: Manrique Larduet had an idol when he was a child, Erik Lopez, winner of several titles at Pan American level. His idea is to follow in his footsteps and now not lose the traces. At only 18 this boy surprised with his two leaderships, four second places and a third seat that catapulted Cuba to the reign of a discipline that returned empty handed eight years ago from Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. But Larduet had in Yesenia Ferrera, 16, a faithful squire. Near the meter and fifty centimeters of height Ferrera won two gold medals, one silver and two bronze medals.
Yipsi Moreno: While Yipsi´s hammer was flying over the field of the Heriberto Jara Corona stadium, athletics stood to say good-bye to one of its most prized exponents. The “Wrath from Agramonte” among the most beloved athletes by the people, bid farewell as the great do: dressed in gold, and event record for 71 meters and 35 centimeters. Her tears, the latest in the competitive scenario, were recorded in the hearts of over 11 million Cubans.
Rowing: Rowing came to Mexico with the target to reach six to eight titles on the event. Bad weather made the competition to be delayed a couple of days and with it came despair. All concentrated and waited patiently. The first day they took one gold. The second was perfect 6-6, while the third was not left behind. In Veracruz ten modalities were in contest, and all were won by the Cubans in a sublime result that captured headlines and was a decisive contribution to the delegation. Angel Fournier, double world medalist, took the baton in his hand and pointed the way to victory for this unprecedented result.
Sergio Mestre: The bar at 2.26 meters, concentrated, did not ask for applause, looked at the sky, prayed and began the run-up. Along with Sergio Mestre Cuba jumped. The crown of the 26 years old boy touched the hearts of fans who missed the wins in one of the most beloved forms of national athletics. Against all odds, Mestre climbed to the top of the podium under the watchful eye of Javier Sotomayor, world record holder, idol figure and the greatest high jumper in history.
Boxing: A train has been the Cuban boxing in the 2014. The title in the World Series IV and nine gold medals achieved out of ten possibilities in Veracruz will provide all possible ballots for the election of the sport of the year. Without any experience in this type of conflicts, the fighters displayed the expertise acquired and no doubt filled with hope for the coming rigor events such as the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. There, in the South American giant, names like Robeisy Ramirez and Roniel Iglesias will seek, if the winds do not change, their second crowns; and others called Yosvani Veitía, Lazaro Alvarez, Yasnier Toledo, Arlen Lopez, Julio Cesar Cruz, Erislandy Savon, Yoandi Toirac, not forgetting those who are enrolled in the Orbeín Quesada Training Center, will fight for glory. They have talent to spare.
Pentathlon: Pentathletes staged one of the most outstanding performances from a qualitative point of view. The harvest of two titles, a pair of silver and as many bronze dignifies a specialty that has to overcome training difficulties in the costly five disciplines. The thrust of the Olympic champion of youth Leidy Laura Moya, with first place in the individual section and in the mixed relay with José Ricardo Figueroa, represented the perfect end to a family struggling with little and replenished after the trouble.
Hockey: This is one of the least media sports in Cuba. However, in continental and Central American events it always accomplishes. Veracruz, Mexico, was no exception, despite skeptics the selections reached the first place, becoming the only collective sport that dominated in both genders. Highlight for men who ousted five goals to one in the final against Trinidad and Tobago, an old acquaintance in these tournaments and always tricky opponent. Guillermo Stackerman deserves the applause, technical chief, quietly tireless worker and also the workers at the Antonio Maceo synthetic pitch, by far the best installation of those made for the Pan American Games in Havana in 1991.
