Cuba gleans 12 medals in Paraguay and is going for more

Cuban sports delegation has so far won 12 medals in the 4th Latin American Special Olympics Games in Paraguay, and keeps raising its stakes in search of more wins in the coming days.

Eduardo Ramirez, methodologist of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER), confirmed to Prensa Latina that his delegation has garnered eight silvers and four bronzes.

Weightlifting, he added, has contributed the most medals so far, with five silvers and four bronzes, won by Yariel Ramirez among men and Danny Madrid among women.

He also said that Vladimir Rodríguez went bronze and Sheyla Hernández silver in table tennis. Yoandy Ledesma won the bronze medal in the 5,000-meter race.

Weightlifters have concluded their gigs, while tennis still has a competition to go on Tuesday. Six athletes are vying for medals, so far in the semifinals and undefeated, likely medalists in 200 meters for both genders, in the 800 meters for men and 1,500 meters for both.

Cuba is also competing in rhythmic gymnastics, featuring Lisbet Domínguez and Naylan Rodríguez, who are yet to perform at the event.

In Ramírez’s words the competition, attended by over 1,000 athletes from different countries, is very well organized supported by first-class facilities.

Cuba joined the Special Olympics Movement in 1995 and is counting by now boasts almost 60,000 athletes who qualify for this type of games in 15 sports, Ramírez indicated.