Cuba reached four titles in the first day of the Pan American Open in Judowhich takes place in the spa of Varadero.
Arnaes Odelín (57 kg), Maylín del Toro (63 kg), Orlando Polanco (66 kg) and Héctor San Román (73 kg) gave the gold medals to the Antillean delegation, which in this way went on to command the medal table of the event .
In addition, the island won two subtitles and seven bronze medals. The most striking result was the defeat by no show of Magdiel Estrada, Cuba’s first figure in the 73 kg, in the final of his division against San Román.
His absence was due to a “technical decision”, as stated to the digital site HitJulio Alderete, head coach of the Cuban men’s team.
“The fact was due to the determination to preserve the man from Matanzas after he suffered an injury,” reports the sports publication.
The other titles in dispute went to the hands of judokas from Panama, the United States and Brazil. Panamanians, also with a silver, and Americans with three bronzes, follow the Cubans in the medal table.
The Varadero Pan American Open is organized by the Pan American Judo Confederation and 152 athletes from 16 countries participate in it, points out Hit.
The event closes its activities this Sunday, with the dispute of the rest of the divisions. The participation by Cuba of the stars Iván Silva (90 kg) and Andy Granda (+100 kg), main candidates to win crowns for the island, is scheduled for the day.
Meanwhile, the multi-medalist Idalis Ortiz (+78 kg) will be absent from the mats, as she is recovering from a dislocated elbow.
