Cuban pistolero Leuris Pupo wins second Olympic medal

Tokyo, August 2 (RHC)-- Nine years after taking the Gold in London 2012, Cuban Leuris Pupo once again exhibited surgical precision and won the Silver medal on Monday in the Olympic 25-meter rapid fire final.

'"Another dream come true," he said in his usually low tone.   "This is a reward for the sacrifice the sport demands," he added as the life calendar reveals his 44 years, well over half placed on the firing line.

Although he did not have a high-caliber qualifying phase, with 583 points, Pupo took on an air of confidence when he saw himself among old acquaintances, although he stressed that a new generation is pushing forward, led by his compatriot Jorge Félix Álvarez (578), 12th place among 26 contestants.

Only one gunman withstood the onslaught of the Caribbean: the Frenchman Jean Quiquampoix, runner-up five years ago and who now starred in a hesitant start, but somehow managed to trace the path of the bullets and interpret an unbeatable performance, which left him with 34 units.

However, Pupo's 29 points were enough to leave Daeyoon Han (26), from South Korea, in third place, in a closing not suitable for people with heart problems, as the process of gradual elimination accelerates the palpitations between goals and more goals.

And in the midst of the euphoria, he thanked the support of Peru, El Salvador and Spain, where together with Alvarez and coach Meinardo Torres they fulfilled preparation bases to reach Tokyo in the best possible conditions, in a difficult context due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Thus, Cuban sport shooting extended its record after the bronzes of Roberto Castrillo (Moscow 1980, skeet), Juan Miguel Rodriguez (Athens 2004, skeet) and Eglys de la Cruz (Beijing 2008, rifle three positions at 50 meters), in addition to the aforementioned of the other winner in Tokyo.

This was the third medal of the day for the island's delegation, which experienced bittersweet moments with the closing of the men's long jump and the awards of Juan Miguel Echevarría (silver) and Maykel Massó (bronze).

Pending the resolution of the metals already secured in boxing and wrestling, Cuba accumulates two more podiums, after the second place of judo player Idalys Ortiz, in over 78 kilograms, and the third place of taekwondo Rafael Alba (over 80).