Arlen: During the Olympics I Activate the Extra

He has an enviable record, with titles at all levels, but, without a doubt, the best version of the Cuban boxer Arlen López is seen in the Olympic Games, where he remains undefeated after being crowned in both Rio de Janeiro 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

Although he arrived at his first Olympic Gmes with a perfect cycle, after winning the Central American Games, Pan American Games and the World Championship, it was not like that for the Japanese edition.

However, once on Japanese soil, the man from Guantanamo returned to being his usual self and defeated all his rivals.

He also arrives at Paris 2024 with ups and downs, without being able to be on the podium of the world's competitions of the four-year period, but with the support of the group of coaches, who recognize his dedication, although sometimes the results tell otherwise. About this, he spoke with Cuba Sí:

«I’ve shown that in the Olympic Games is where my extra is activated and I bring out the best in me, we are going to make that happen again to finish on the top of the podium. "We are working towards that goal, I’m putting all my effort and willingness and receiving support from everyone to make that happen."

—How are you right now?

—Right now I’m 70% ready. The important thing is to see how I see myself, what I have yet to achieve in this time until the competition, because I must reach 100% in the Games.

—At your age, perhaps the pace of training can take its toll, how do you support the loads?

—In training I feel like I'm already winning, with focus and psychological preparation; the other thing would be to demonstrate it in the ring before each opponent. I don't underestimate any opponent, because even when I've beaten them before, they constantly outdo each other.

—It will be a new division, do you adapt well?

—It's only one kilo less, there isn't much difference; training and quality must be the same. It’s not difficult for me to make this new weight and the rivals are also the same.

—They have just carried out a preparation base that included a competition. What balance do you have?

—We had an excellent training camp in Varadero, we faced an elite team that will also host. It helped me personally to rehearse and try to connect my blows as clearly as possible so that there were no doubts left in the referees' minds, because we know that this is very important when we are not at home.

If the cabals are met, and with the interest the boxer is showing, it’s very likely that Arlen will make the Cuban National Anthem sound again in Paris.

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSí Translation Staff