News28 Feb 2004


Moreno takes the hammer to 73.65 in 2004 debut - Menendez's javelin goes out to 64.95

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Yipsi Moreno of Cuba after winning the women's hammer throw (© Getty Images)

Double World Hammer champion Yipsi Moreno made a superb season debut on Friday (27 Feb) when she produced a massive 73.65, in the fourth of a series of special competitions being held for the benefit of the Cuban national team in the months of February and March.

Moreno, wearing the red, blue and white-colored Cuban uniform, opened her series with a 71.36 effort, followed by 70.79 and a foul. She then released the 4-kg implement to 73.65 in the fourth round, backed up by 71.68 and 73.64.

Her training partners Yunaika Crawford (69.40) and Aldenay Vasallo (67.18) followed in second and third positions.

“It is good to start the year. I am neither happy nor satisfied. The circle was OK, not in perfect conditions. Technically, I felt a bit anxious, but I am sure we will all perform better in the next two competitions”, said the 23-year old from the central-eastern province of Camaguey.

Despite the Pan American champion’s dissatisfaction, she still produced two of her best 10 throws ever, not far from her Area record of 75.14, set in Savona, Italy, 17 July 2003.

Assessing his pupils’ first outing of the year, coach Eladio Hernandez said that “the competition was not good. We trained to throw better, but we also have to consider it is their first appearance. I do not only analyze the results based on the marks, but mainly how they perform, their technique. They should have been more aggressive on the circle”.

Their athletes are back in Havana after fulfilling a successful training camp in the eastern province of Las Tunas.

“Our main goal is to have three women included in the Olympic final and we are on the right path to achieve that. Yipsi is our best bet for goal, while Aldenay and Yunaika can be in the top five, considering how they training and their tests”, he added.

“We want to start the European season, both competition and training, in May, after the second National Olympics in the third week of April”, Hernandez concluded.

Mendenez - 64.95 Javelin throw 

Osleidys Menendez, the women's World Javelin record holder, continued improving with a 64.95 metre release on her first attempt, using only a five step approach.

She again felt pain in the right ankle in the second round (60.22) and stopped. Noraida Bicet (59.50) and Sonia Bisset (56.80) followed.

“It is a good mark for this time of the year. I am in good form despite the pain. I know I have a great commitment with the Olympics coming up. I just want to take one step at a time and stabilize my results”, the 2001 World champion and 2000 Sydney bronze medallist stated.

Both Moreno and Menendez are expected to compete again next week in Havana.

High Jumpers on the up

Following World record holder Javier Sotomayor’s retirement in October, 2001, the new generation of Cuban male jumpers is trying to reach the world elite.

2003 Central American and Caribbean champion Lisvany Perez improved his personal best to 2.26, very close to the 2.28 'B' standard required to participate in the summer Games. Victor Moya, with 2.25 leaps in the last two meetings, was second this time with 2.23, ahead of Dailen Ortega (2.20) and Yunier Carrillo (2.20).

“They have talent and good physical conditions. They need new rivals to find extra motivation in order to improve their results and eventually jump 2.30”, said their coach, Guillermo de la Torre.

Other results...

Other winners at the meeting were Olga L. Cepero (14.20) and Pedro Gonzalez (16.52) in the Triple jump, Pan American champion Emeterio Gonzalez in the Javelin (72.32), Noelsis Bicet in the men's Hammer (69.39) and junior Wilfredo Martinez in the Long Jump (7.76).

On the track, 18-year old William Collazo won the one-lap flat race in 47.36 (47.14 SF), as well as Libania Grenot (52.98-52.55 in SF).

Jose A. Cesar (10.43) and Misleidis Lazo (11.62) claimed the top honors in the 100 metres, while Dayami Lara (13.97) and Carlos Patterson (13.82) led the highest Hurdles.

The Cuban national team will continue to hold local meetings at Havana's Estadio Panamericano in March, as part of their preparation for the Olympic Games.

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