The world only has a few months to wait until the 31st edition of the modern Olympic Games takes place August 5-21 in Río de Janeiro, Brazil.
Thus far, 58 Cuban athletes in nine disciplines have qualified to compete under the five rings. One of the most noteworthy categories includes sport shooting with seven representatives; the first Cuban competitors to secure spots to Río 2016.
Looking toward the most important sporting event of the last four years, Granma International spoke with qualifiers from the Cuban national shooting team.
Reinier Estopiñán, Toronto 2015 Pan American Men's 50 meterrifle three positions champion, noted that training sessions are going well and he feels in good physical and technical form, despite the lack of ammunition. “So far preparation is going well for me and my teammates. We have two training events scheduled in Guatemala; one next March and the other just before the Games. We will also be competing in the World Cup in Munich, Germany and pre-Olympic competition in May,” he noted.
His coach Maykel Guerra, discussed the problem of ammunition and spoke about the importance of performing well in other international competitions. “We are lacking the most important thing in our sport, ammunition. The U.S. economic, financial and commercial blockade makes it extremely difficult to import bullets, as manufactures are prevented from selling directly to Cuba. Nonetheless, the National Federation is looking for other ways of getting ammunition in preparation for the upcoming competitions, which will have a great impact on determining future results, as the athletes will be able to shoot and adapt themselves to using electronic guns which we don’t have here.”
Shooting is one of the disciplines in which Cuba has continued to secure medals over the last three editions of the Games, a tradition maintained by both its world-class athletes and new talents in need of resources to further develop their skills.
The group of qualifying athletes to the Rio Games is led by London 2012 rapid fire pistol Olympic champion, Leuris Pupo, as well as bronze medalists Eglys Cruz (Beijing 2008 - three positions rifle) and Juan Miguel Rodríguez (Athens 2004 – shotgun). Completing the line-up is pistol man Jorge Grau, Toronto Pan American Games silver medalist, rifle shooter Dianelis Pérez, continental champion in Guadalajara 2011, as well as Alexander Molerio.
Speaking to Granma International, Pupo noted that his outlook remains positive despite not having been able to practice at the Comandante Enrique Borbonet Gómez Olympic Training Camp. The Olympic champion has been invited by the U.S. national shooting team to participate in training sessions in that country, similar to those held last December, at the Fort Benning military base, in Atlanta.
His coach Meinardo Torres notes that Leuris Pupo has the ability to maintain his position among the global elite and aim for another Olympic medal.
Rafael Guerra Mollinedo, president of the Cuban Sports Shooting Federation and National Commissioner for the discipline, discussed the hopes and difficulties facing the athletes.
Declining to make any predictions, he noted however that the team is looking to give it their all on the firing line. Cuban athletes have been able to overcome recent scarcities due to their characteristic consistency and dedication. Our commitment to the homeland compels us to maintain our historic success record, he commented.
GENERO: Report
SECCION: Sports
PC: , , 2016, ,
FOTO:
Trio1: London 2012 Olympic champion, Leuris Pupo will be looking to retain his title. Photo: Granma
