CUBAN weightlifting is aspiring to place its four representatives to the London Olympics among the top eight within their respective weight divisions.

At 23 years of age, veteran Sergio Alvarez (56kg) will again lead the team. This is his third trip to the Olympics and he will try to break the spell that has sent him home without a medal each time. To do so, he must better his performance in Beijing ’08, where he placed sixth in the 272kg biathlon (120-152). His most recent rigorous test was during the 16th Pan American Games in Guadalajara, a competition he won with 267 (119-148). In London he will need to total 280 or more.

Cuba will have two representatives in this division, with Yasmani Romero, as well, currently ranked number 11 world-wide with 257 (110-147) in the continental competition held in Antigua, Guatemala. His performance there did not reflect his strength, particularly in the snatch. In his latest trial here in Cuba, he lifted 116kg.

In this division, Chinese Jingbiao Wu, world champion with 292 (133-159), and runner-up Chaojun Zhao 284 (128-156), Azerbijan’s Valentin Hristov 280 (125-155) and the Vietnamese Le Quoc Tran 279 (126-153) will be his most challenging opponents.

Completing the team is Iván Cámbar (77) and Yoelmis Hernández (85) from Pinar del Río, two-time World medalist in the clean and jerk. Both took honors in the Pan Americans: Cámbar with 338 (150-188) and Hernández with 363 (158-205). Following that event, Cámbar underwent surgery for a second time on his right elbow and Yoelmis, despite wining a bronze in the Paris World championship, with 205, reported back problems.

Both now appear to be in excellent physical condition and are attempting to further improve at a high altitude training center in Mexico.

The leaders in these weight divisions in Paris? China’s Xiajon Lu 375 (170-205) and Iranian Kianoush Rostami 382 (173-209).