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ISMAEL BORRERO

The Olympic gold belongs to my mom (+PHOTOS)

Greco-Roman wrestler Ismael Borrero (59kg) won Cuba’s first gold medal of the Río de Janeiro Olympic Games

Author: | internet@granma.cu

Author: | informacion@granma.cu

RIO DE JANEIRO.— Santiago de Cuba’s unbeatable Ismael Borrero won Cuba its first gold medal of the 31st Olympic Games. In short, Ismael Borrero’s win came as no surprise as he secured Cuba’s debut gold on the country medal chart, after winning the 59kg division of the Greco-Roman wrestling competition.

We could write pages on the young 24 year old’s impeccable performance, as he seemed well-experienced on the Olympic stage. He appeared calm and sure on the mat, and with that same confident attitude secured - by technical superiority - the ultimate victory, before the bout’s regulation six-minute time limit had passed. But it’s better to let Ismael explain:

“I was confident of my preparation, of what I had achieved during my training sessions, it was just a question of executing it against every rival,” stated the same man who left the 2015 Toronto Pan American Games annoyed and unhappy, without a medal, after losing to Spenser Mango of the United States. With a maturity beyond his years, he notes that it was there, during that competition, where the winner of the title which we applaud today was born.
”I owe this medal to the result of the continental competition; I learned that everything is a step-by-step process, that you mustn’t violate a thing, neither in training nor the tactical combat plan. I came out to conquer the world after that defeat; I set myself the challenge of reversing that loss.”

Do you feel satisfied, did you settle that debt?

After the episode in Toronto I went on to win the World Championship and now I’m leaving here with the gold medal every athlete aspires to, but the matter of the Pan American Games still remains to be resolved. In the next competition in 2019, when I win, my debt will be settled.

Strong, fast and always setting the pace of the fight, Ismael defeated his rivals one by one, starting with Arsen Eraliev of Kyrgyzstan (6-3); then China’s Lumin Wang by technical superiority; followed by Elmurat Tasmurado of Uzbekistan (4-1); ending with another 8-0 victory by technical superiority over Shinobu Ota of Japan, to win the competition which he dominated from the outset.
“They are all excellent gladiators, but the Uzbek was the most difficult. He had beaten me before in September 2014 by technical superiority, I was very careful, I followed every gesture, every defensive movement and was able to pull out a winning formula which set me on track to the podium.”

Were you expecting to see Ota in the final?

I felt confident, but yeah, not many people expected him. The Azerbaijani I beat in the Las Vegas World Championship was on the other group table and was a potential finalist, but wasn’t able to advance.

Ismael’s offense included drags and flips, which earned him points on the scoreboard; as well as pushes which tired many of his opponents. The young athlete demonstrated a great defense with turns, and using his arms for support when in the all fours position, which not only prevented rivals from scoring but also saw him manage to break-free on two occasions.

What were you thinking about during those three hours before the final?

Nothing, I just rested and when I came out to compete just concentrated again on the job, there’s no time to think.

So, what next?

And after that?

Return to the mat, start to work toward another medal.

Did you feel pressured as at the time Cuba had yet to win a gold medal?

Not at all, I just needed to focus and that’s what I did.

What do you expect of your team and Mijaín, who competes tomorrow?

Many good things and of Mijaín, he’s the best in the world, and if I could do it, there’s no reason why he can’t.

With a shy smile, without tears or jumps for joy, Ismael’s reaction after his victory or during the medal presentation ceremony, didn’t seem like that of an Olympic Champion. Wasn’t he overjoyed? Of course he was. The young athlete with a background in weightlifting, rather than wrestling, dedicated his victory to “Santiago…to Fidel, who must be honored every day. And to someone very special, the reason why I am here and my raison d'être, the gold medal belongs to my mom.”