Rafael Alba will forever remain among the best historical representatives of Cuban taekwondo, but after his announced retirement from active sport, the national Federation has to make a great effort so that this discipline does not decline.

The super heavyweight from Santiago was the pillar of this sport during the last three Olympic cycles, with two appearances on the podium, including this year in Paris 2024, which required him to take advantage of the champion's extra to recover in time from an injury.

The two-time world champion gave an example of courage and dedication, one more in his successful career, and the challenge is to keep this modality among those prioritized by the Cuban Sports System, and for that, results are essential at all levels.

The Parisian event saw the return of a Cuban woman to this type of competition after 12 years and the access to the round of 16 of Arlettys de la Caridad Acosta (over 67 kgs) was a good performance.

She must lead the new generation of taekwondo athletes to try to keep us among the powers of America.

Traditionally, the heavyweights have been the best for Cuba, in both sexes, and it seems that the tradition will continue, because among the emerging talents there’s precisely another girl of the highest category, Elianet María Crespo, first in the Pan American ranking for under 22 years of age in over 67 kgs.

But it’s worth remembering that although in Olympic competitions there’s competition in only four weights per gender, in world competitions and other tournaments it’s double, so figures in the same weight range can be given experience and in that way keep the domestic competition and each one improves individually.

It’s evident that in intermediate categories there’s much more rivalry and parity, but we have also had good representatives at the regional level, and the objective must be to rescue them for the current Olympic cycle.

The first test will be the Junior Pan American Games in Asunción 2025, which will put the spotlight on talents from all over the continent, and there we will see how the relay is for this four-year period.

It’s fair to recognize that this sport managed to debut in the Paralympic Games, and although no one could be placed on the podium, the mere fact of obtaining the places with little practice time deserves respect. Surely for Los Angeles 2028 some for taekwondo sportsman will be able to compete for a medal.

Also, it’s good news to achieve permanence in the calendar of the Havana Open, G1 category of the International Federation, for what it represents to give training to more competitors without having to pay so much money.

The challenge is set, so that after Alba the sun shines for Cuban taekwondo.

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSí Translation Staff