A promise kept, Mijaín wins gold

Foto: Ricardo López Hevia
Rio de Janeiro.- On August 15, Cuban pride filled the Carioca Arena 2 of this city, when Greco-Roman wrestler Mijaín López won the island its second gold medal of the 31st Olympic Games, also becoming three-times Olympic champion and confirming his title as King, as his family call him.
Precise tactics, outstanding skill, copious amounts of courage and a great effort in the final against the only man who has defeated him in nine years, Turkey’s Riza Kapaal, saw Cuba and the world tremble with joy.
Today, August 16, gymnast Manrique Larduet, another outstanding Cuban athlete, will also be competing for gold despite an injury to his right ankle. Larduet will participate in the high and parallel bars events, while World Champion Denia Caballero will face off against Sandra Petkovic of Croatia and teammate Yaimé Pérez in the discus competition.
Cuba has six athletes set to compete in the boxing tournament, including Yasmani Lugo, Miguel Mar­tínez, Lenier Peró, Julio C. la Cruz, Robeisy

Another Olympic medal for Cuba
Discus thrower Denia Caballero became the first female athlete to win a medal for Cuba in this year’s Río Games
Author: Enrique Montesinos Delvat | informacion@granma.cu
august 17, 2016 09:08:10
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Photo: Cubadebate
Río de Janeiro.- Discus thrower Denia Caballero became the first female athlete to win a medal for Cuba in this year’s Río Games. Caballero won bronze on August 16, with a throw of 65.34 meters.
“I’m happy about the medal, but still not satisfied,” she stated shortly after the competition, although the achievement represents Cuba’s first medal in an athletics competition and won by a female competitor as well as its eighth medal thus far in the overall competition.
“It’s my first Olympic medal, but not my last,” stated the 26 year-old athlete from Villa Clara, also Beijing 2015 World Champion.

Julio César secures Cuba’s third Río gold
Boxer Julio César La Cruz secured the island’s third gold medal of the Río Games. Cuba remains 21st on the medal table
Author: Oscar Sánchez Serra, Enviado especial | subdirector@granma.cu
august 19, 2016 10:08:45
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Photo: Ricardo López Hevia
RÍO DE JANEIRO.— With Cuba’s third gold medal stemming from the fists of Julio César La Cruz, in the 81 kilogram boxing division, the Cuban delegation remains firmly in position 21 on the 31st Olympic Games medal table, while preparing for further competition in the closing days.
“The Shadow” as the boxer from Camagüey is dubbed, was a true enigma in the 81kg final, managing to settle an old score from London 2012, when he was unexpectedly absent from the podium.
His rapid attack style saw him land direct hits on rival Adilbek Niyazymbetov of Kazakhstan. The performance secured him Cuba’s first boxing gold in Río, a feat Robeisy Ramírez and Arlen López will seek to emulate this Satureday.