Havana, CubaCuba is preparing a team of six women and four men for the 3rd IAAF World Youth Championships in Athletics, to be held in Sherbrooke, Canada, July 9-13, though because of financial constraints it would seem only five will compete.
Triple jumper Denis Fernandez, Hammer thrower Arasay Thondike and Shot putter Yaniubis Lopez carry the Island's best hopes for the Worlds.
Fernandez, 17, has jumped 16.08 this season, while Thondike has reached 59.14 and Lopez 15.52 metres, three marks that should place them in strong contention for the medals.
”When I started training, I focused on reaching the standard for the Worlds (15,65), and now my aim is to jump 16.30-16.45 and bring a medal home,” said Fernandez, a former high jumper who started in athletics at the age of 10 in Camaguey, his province of origin.
Five years later, he began in the Triple Jump with 14.99 and improved to 15.51 last season.
The Triple Jump has been the most successful event for Cuba in the World Youth Championships, with one gold, two silver and two bronze medals.
Thondike, who trains with World champion Yipsi Moreno under coach Eladio Hernandez' guidance, hopes to claim a position of the podium, as did her training partner Yunaika Crawford, second in 1999.
The pre-selection team includes 400 metres Hurdlers Yadira Isaac (59.71) and Yanisleidis Ramirez (1:00.98), Triple jumper Indira Valladares (12.39), 800m runner Henry Arias (1:52.63), Octathlete Junior Diaz (5771) and Discus thrower Lisandra Rodriguez (48.66).
Dayron Robles, a 110 metres Hurdles specialist, has set his personal best (14.34) running over the senior height (1.06m).
”Our goal is to achieve two medals and have three other finalists in Sherbrooke", stated Jose Bordon, head of the junior category in the Cuban Athletics Commission.
These ten athletes are currently turning up in local competitions and are expected to take part in the National Junior Champs in Santiago de Cuba, east of the Island, June 25-29.
In the first two editions of the World Youth Championships - Bydgoszcz, Poland (1999), and Debrecen, Hungary (2001) - Cuba obtained a total of one gold, six silver and four bronze medals.
Two years ago in Debrecen, triple jumpers David Giralt (silver) and Osniel Tosca (bronze) were the Island's only medal winners.
In the same event, Mabel Gay claimed the gold in Bydgoszcz and went on to win the world junior title last year in Kingston.
