cuban Judo Team Takes on Pan American and Oceania Championships in Chile
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Cuba’s judo team, blending youth and experiance, is set to compete at the Pan American and Oceania championships starting Friday in Santiago. Veteran judokas combine with promising newcomers for a strong showing.
Veterans and Rising Stars
The team features experienced athletes like Maylín del Toro (63 kg), Iván Felipe Silva (100 kg), and Andy Granda (+100 kg), alongside rising star Jonathan Charón (60 kg), who impressed during a recent European tour.
Granda Leads the Pack
Andy Granda, currently ranked seventh globally with 4,141 points, is a top contender. The 2022 World Champion had a strong start to the season, earning a bronze medal at the Grand Slam in Tashkent.
Granda’s Potential Rematch
While a rematch with brazil’s Rafael silva won’t happen, Granda may face Rafael Buzacarini, seeking to avenge his loss to the Cuban at the 2024 continental edition. Granda has a strong track record and aims to defend his title.
Silva a Medal Hopeful
Iván felipe Silva,after a weight change,is a favorite for a gold medal. His recent European performances confirm his potential. He will face competition from Brazil’s Leonardo Goncalves, a two-time champion in this event.
Silva vs Goncalves: A Recent history
Silva defeated Goncalves at the Tbilisi Grand Slam in late March, securing a bronze medal, showcasing their competitive rivalry.
Del toro’s Challenge
Maylín del Toro’s main rival is Canada’s Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard, the current continental ranking leader. She may also face challenges from Brazilian competitors Nauana and Rafaela Silva.
Other Contenders
Charón and Orlando Polanco (66 kg) are also medal contenders for the men’s team, while Lianet Cardona (78 kg) is a strong prospect for the women. While Brazil doesn’t present prominent figures in these categories,other countries offer strong judokas who could challenge for medals.
Here are two PAA related questions, formatted as requested:
cuban Judo Team Takes on Pan American and Oceania Championships in Chile
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Cuba’s judo team, blending youth and experiance, is set to compete at the Pan American and Oceania championships starting Friday in Santiago. Veteran judokas combine wiht promising newcomers for a strong showing.
Veterans and Rising Stars
The team features experienced athletes like Maylín del Toro (63 kg), Iván Felipe Silva (100 kg), and Andy Granda (+100 kg), alongside rising star jonathan Charón (60 kg), who impressed during a recent European tour.
granda Leads the Pack
Andy Granda, currently ranked seventh globally with 4,141 points, is a top contender. The 2022 World Champion had a strong start to the season, earning a bronze medal at the Grand Slam in Tashkent.
Granda’s Potential Rematch
While a rematch with brazil’s Rafael silva won’t happen, Granda may face Rafael Buzacarini, seeking to avenge his loss to the Cuban at the 2024 continental edition. Granda has a strong track record and aims to defend his title.
Silva a Medal Hopeful
Iván felipe Silva,after a weight change,is a favorite for a gold medal. His recent European performances confirm his potential. He will face competition from Brazil’s Leonardo Goncalves, a two-time champion in this event.
Silva vs Goncalves: A Recent history
Silva defeated Goncalves at the Tbilisi Grand Slam in late March, securing a bronze medal, showcasing their competitive rivalry.
Del toro’s Challenge
Maylín del Toro’s main rival is Canada’s Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard, the current continental ranking leader. She may also face challenges from Brazilian competitors Nauana and rafaela Silva.
Other Contenders
Charón and Orlando Polanco (66 kg) are also medal contenders for the men’s team, while Lianet Cardona (78 kg) is a strong prospect for the women. While Brazil doesn’t present prominent figures in these categories,other countries offer strong judokas who could challenge for medals.
Q&A: Cuban Judo Team at the Pan American & Oceania championships
Who are the key Cuban judokas to watch?
Keep an eye on Andy Granda (+100 kg), a 2022 World Champion; Iván felipe Silva (100 kg), who recently changed weight classes and Jonathan Charón (60 kg), a rising star. Maylín del Toro (63 kg) and Lianet Cardona (78 kg) are also strong contenders.
What’s Andy Granda’s current ranking and recent performance?
granda is currently ranked seventh globally.He earned a bronze medal at the Grand Slam in Tashkent earlier this season, showing great form.
Who are the main rivals for the Cuban team?
Brazilian judokas,especially Rafael Buzacarini (against Granda) and Leonardo Goncalves (against Silva),pose significant challenges. Also, Maylín del Toro faces tough competition from Canada’s Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard.
Why is Iván Felipe Silva a favorite for a gold medal?
Silva is favored because of his remarkable performances after changing weight classes. His recent bronze medal win against Goncalves at the Tbilisi Grand Slam highlights his potential.
What makes the rivalry between Silva and Goncalves interesting?
Their rivalry is intense, as demonstrated by their recent matches. Silva defeated Goncalves at the Tbilisi Grand Slam, securing a bronze medal, showing how competitive they are.
What can we expect from the other Cuban judokas?
Jonathan Charón (60 kg) and Orlando Polanco (66 kg) are also medal contenders on the men’s side.Lianet Cardona (78 kg) is a promising prospect for the women’s team. While Brazil may not have top competitors in these categories, strong judokas from other countries will be vying for medals.
As the Cuban judo team enters the Pan American and Oceania Championships,their blend of experience and youthful talent promises exciting matches. Follow the action to see if these stars can achieve their goals!
