Yargelis Savigne, with a Triple Jump of 14.99 metres wins in Paris' Meeting Areva (© Errol Anderson)
Havana, Cuba Two-time Triple Jump defending champion Yargelis Savigne and Olympic gold medallist and 110m Hurdles World record holder Dayron Robles lead the 31-member Cuban squad for the IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Daegu, Korea, 27 August to 4 September.
Savigne, who leads the 2011 world lists after her 14.99m leap in Paris on 8 July, is aiming at her third consecutive world title, after claiming gold in Osaka 2007 and Berlin 2009. In the former, she set a still standing Area Record of 15.28m. If she wins in the Korean city, the 26-year old will become the first Cuban female athlete to claim three world crows. She is currently tied with Ana Fidelia Quirot (800m in 1995 and 1997) and Yipsi Moreno (Hammer in 2001 and 2003).
With Savigne defending champion, Cuba has registered three other women in the Triple Jump: 2009 silver medallist Mabel Gay, two-time World junior champion Dailenis Alcántara and 2009 World University Games gold medallist Yarianna Martínez.
Like Savigne, Robles is attending his fourth World Championships and will try to accomplish what no Cuban has achieved so far: the 110m World title.
The 2008 Beijing champion has had an almost impeccable campaign in the lead up to Daegu, including his best time of the year (13.04) at the London Samsung Diamond League meeting.
The 14-man and 17-woman squad also features 2009 Berlin runners-up Leonel Suarez (Decathlon), Guillermo Martinez (Javelin), and Yarelis Barrios (Discus), as well as bronze medallist Alexis Copello (Triple).
Returning to the World Championships after missing Berlin due to maternity is two-time gold and two-time silver medallist Yipsi Moreno in the Hammer Throw. It will be her sixth appearance at the World Championships. Another making his comeback at the global event is 2005 High Jump runner-up Víctor Moya.
Ten athletes are making their debut at this level, including Pole Vault sensations Lázaro Borges and Yarisley Silva. Silva soared to 4.66m, a new CAC record, and is currently ranked 10th on the world lists. Borges cleared 5.72 twice, a new national mark.
Cuba has participated in all World Championships since the inaugural edition in 1983. It currently ranks fifth in the medal table with 18 gold, 21 silver and six bronze.
Javier Clavelo Robinson for the IAAF
Cuban Team Roster:
MEN-
200m Michael Herrera
400m William Collazo
110m H Dayron Robles
400m H Omar Cisneros
High Jump Víctor Moya
Pole Vault Lázaro Borges
Triple Jump Alexis Copello, Yoandri Betanzos, Arnie David Girat
Shot Put Carlos Véliz
Discus Jorge Fernández
Javelin Guillermo Martínez
Decathlon Leonel Suárez and Yordani García
WOMEN -
100-200m Nelkis Casabona
400m Aymée Martínez
Pole Vault Yarisley Silva and Daylis Caballero
Triple Jump Yargeris Savigne, Mabel Gay, Dailenis Alcántara and Yarianna Martínez
Shot Put Misleydis González and Mailín Vargas
Discus Yarelis Barrios and Denia Caballero
Hammer Yipsi Moreno
Javelin Yanet Cruz
4x400m Daysurami Bonne, Susana Clement, Diosmely Peña, Aymée Martínez and Nelkis Casabona
