Cuban mixed team wins bronze and judo leaves Cali 2021 with seven medals

CALI, Colombia, Nov 29 (ACN) With only six athletes, Cuba reaped seven medals (2-2-3) in the judo tournament of the First Junior Pan American Games, a performance crowned Sunday by the mixed team.

Without options to "refresh" anyone in the middle of the competition, unlike the Brazilian and other teams, the Cuban judokas fought their way onto the podium for the third day in a row.

In the quarterfinals they prevailed 4-1 over the Colombian team through Idelannis Gómez (70 kg), Sergueis Rodríguez (90 kg), Thalía Nariño (+78 kg) and Omar Cruz (+100 kg).

The semifinals were an America’s classic between Cubans and Brazilians, dominated by the latter with a close score of 4-3 and not without some controversy.

The Cubans won through Idelannis, Sergueis and Thailien Castillo, but the remaining members of the team could not celebrate and the opportunity to reach the final as favorites to the throne escaped.

The seventh and tie-breaking bout brought Sergueis Rodriguez (who had to double up) face to face with Kayo Fabricio Silva Dos Santos in the 100 kg, a division above the usual 90-kg one in Cuba.

The two judokas were neck and neck until the Brazilian notched a decisive Wazari, a referee’s decision that Cuba protested, albeit unsuccessfully.

With their spirits down and their physique weakened, they had to compete against Venezuela for the bronze medal and won by a clear 4-1 via Sergueis, Thalía, Thailien and Kimy Bravo, whereas an exhausted Omar Cruz lost to Juan Lorenzo Diaz Campos on the Golden Rule.

"It was a hard-fought competition in which we finished third, although we could have won the gold medal if not for a doubtful Wazari scored against Sergueis in the definition against Brazil. We leave with a medal, which is the most important thing", Bravo remarked as soon as he got off the mat.

“An intense afternoon, but we had a good result. We are not happy with the bronze medal because we came to win every bout, convinced in our hearts that we could prevail," Thalia added.

“A great competition, despite what happened with the Brazilian team. We wanted to fight for the gold, but it was not possible. I did my best, and I feel that the action that deprived me of the semifinals was definitely not a Wazari. But then again, the referees thought so. Now it's time to prepare for the next one", Sergueis said.

Brazil defeated the United States (4-0) in the final, whereas the Dominican Republic won the other bronze medal over Mexico (4-1).
Brazil dominated the competition with six gold, one silver and four bronze medals, followed by Cuba with 2-2-3.