José Mario Olivera is one of the unsung heroes of Cuban wrestling. He is responsible for the five medals, four gold and one silver, won at the first Pan American Junior Games in Cali-Valle in 2021. Now, in Asunción, the Paraguayan capital hosting the second edition of these games, he aims to ensure that the success of Cuba’s young wrestlers continues to grow.

As before, he will have Héctor Milián, a member of the Cuban wrestling Hall of Fame, as a key ally in this mission. Together, at the Cerro Pelado High-Performance Athlete Training School, they have honed their students' skills and prepared them to face the intensity of competition. The task in Paraguay will not be easy, as the team consists of only five wrestlers, and their performance in Colombia set a high bar. But in this sport, nothing is impossible.

Of the team that competed in Colombia four years ago, only Yonat Veliz (67 kg) returns, already knowing what it takes to be a champion in these events.

To learn more about the expectations for this young delegation, Granma spoke with José Mario Olivera, coach of the Cuban wrestling team.

How would you describe the training process?
"It has been entirely in Cuba, and under these conditions, we will strive for the best possible result. We had support from some teams from the Dominican Republic, which allowed us to train with them."

Are there differences between the preparation for Cali and this one?
"Many. Four years ago, we had better preparation and more support for the athletes. Back then, we trained in Ciego de Ávila, a province we are very grateful to."

What is the medal forecast for Asunción?
"We aim to win four medals, though the colors may vary. Our strongest chance for gold is with Yonat Veliz (67 kg), who was already a champion in Cali and won the qualifying Pan American tournament."

Could the lack of competitions hinder this prediction?
"We never stopped training, but having more competitions would certainly improve our results."

What advice can a legend like Héctor Milián offer?
"It’s always hard to give just one piece of advice. We try to instill courage and determination in these young athletes, so they understand they are capable of great achievements. Milián’s example is crucial in that."

Does wrestling in Cuba have a promising future?
"Our greatest strength lies in our development system, with coaches at the grassroots level nurturing talent. The recent inauguration of the National ESPA (Athletic Training School) further strengthens this work."

What sets these young athletes apart?
"They are highly talented, and soon they will be seen on the international stage. For now, they won’t have more competitions after the Junior Pan American Games, but several countries have invited us for joint training sessions, which will help strengthen the team."