Cuban libero leaves team in Canada

MADRID, Spain.- The libero of the Cuban team volleyballYumichael Lawrence left the national team this week in the city of Gatineau, Quebec, Canada, where the 2024 NORCECA Men’s Final Six Tournament is being held. The incident occurred hours after the arrival of the Cuban delegation to the country, on the eve of its debut against Mexico.

The news was released through the social network X by journalist Leonardo Ruiz. Lawrence, 22 years old and from Pinar del Río, was a key player for the team, as he was the only player in the libero position on the roster.

🚨Sources: The libero of the Cuban national team 🇨🇺, Yumichael Lawrence, recently left the team that participates in the NORCECA Final Six Tournament in Canada pic.twitter.com/MiymYBPz2L

— Leonardo Ruiz (@LeonRR97) August 20, 2024

So far, the Cuban official press, which has continued reporting Regarding the pageant, he has not issued any statement about Yumichael Lawrence.

The young volleyball player had recently stood out in international tournaments, including the U23 Pan American Cup, where he was awarded as the best libero and defender, and the Cuban National League, in which he received recognition as the best libero in the 2022-2023 season.

Cuba, which is participating in the NORCECA Men’s Final Six Tournament, managed to recover from an initial defeat against Mexico, by achieving its first victory against Puerto Rico on Wednesday, in the second round. In the remainder of the competition, it will face Canada, the Dominican Republic and the United States.

Last June Ronald Luis Limonta Massó, member of the national under-21 team, and Odaimis Naomi Leliebre Palma, passer of the senior women’s national team, left their respective teams.

Limonta Massó left the team on a stopover in Mexico City on his way to the NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship in Nogales. Meanwhile, Leliebre Palma left the delegation for the NORCECA Final Four in Puerto Rico.

Last year, at least 106 athletes (44 women and 62 men) left Cuba through various means. Of these, more than half (at least 72) did so by taking advantage of international events: world and regional competitions, training bases and friendly matches.

In the specific case of volleyball, in 2023Ellemay Santa Mirand (22 years old) left the national team during the NORCECA Women’s Volleyball Championship held in Quebec, Canada. While José Gómez (19 years old), did so during the Pan American Cup Final Six, also in Canada.

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