|
Cubans preparing for Moscow World
Championships
Harold Iglesias
Manresa
IN a
year when the world championships are the highlight
of Cuban athletics, the close of the Cuba Cup
brought good news for many of Cuba’s key athletes,
including world-class records.
Pole-vaulter Yarisley Silva’s Central American and
Caribbean record of 4.81 meters, her third personal
best in just over a month (previously she had jumped
4.76m and 4.78m) is still fresh and it proves her to
be a serious contender for a medal in the Moscow
meet, to be held August 10 through 18. Her personal
best falls just short of the indoor world record set
by North America’s Jennifer Suhr (5.02) in
Alburquerque, making Yarisley the holder of the
second highest mark of the season.
On
the subject of seconds this season, Yaimée Pérez’
66.01m discus throw is evidence of Cuba’s prowess in
this discipline in track and field events. Yarelis
Barrios, in her first outing, threw for 65.17
meters, Denia Caballero, 63.40m and Yanisley
Collado, 62.68m, all above the 62 meters required to
qualify for the meet in Moscow.
Yaimée also celebrated her lead this season, but her
celebration came to an abrupt end when she was
outdone by German Nadine Müller with a 66.69m discus
throw in the European Cup held in Castellón, Spain.
Among the outstanding accomplishments, there is also
the two-time world javelin medal winner, Guillermo
Martínez from Camagüey, who hit 84.68 meters, a
record for the Cuban team, and he averaged 85.56m,
putting him first in the world, with a two meter
lead over German, Thomas Röhler (83.26).
Among the successes of Cuba’s team who took off this
season is triple-jumper, whose late training start
did not get in the way of his jumping 17.46 meters.
Strength, the strength which he defined as his main
weapon, propelled this 21 year old from Guantánamo,
whose main achievement to date is his second place
finish in the 2010 youth event.
Another great result came from former decathlete
turned long jumper, Junior Díaz, who went beyond the
8 meter mark at 8.02.
THE
MOST PROMISING IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Yarisley: After making the record I had been chasing
for over a year and due to the winter season, I was
tired but am still very focused, and the record
shows my consistency.
Yaimée: I didn’t expect this place in the
competition, but my training has been excellent. I
have to polish up my technique. If I manage to do so
and combine that with my explosiveness and strength,
I’ll get close to the finals… and a world title.
Ernesto: I’ve followed my coach’s training plan to
the letter. I’ve been more disciplined since I’ve
started a schedule of warm-ups, right through to the
last jump, and this has shown up in the results.
Guillermo: For me it is a huge joy to open the
season with this record under my belt. I don’t even
notice the ghost of past injuries and I have
recovered my confidence and coordination in the
sprint. I’m going for another medal in Moscow.
|
