One of Cuba’s great hopes for a gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics is boxer Andy Cruz, who, despite the postponement of the Summer Games until 2021, is still looking to take a spot on the podium.
The Matanzas native (63 kilograms) is at home these days, as part of the de-concentration of the entire Cuban sports movement given the advance of the COVID-19 pandemic. Andy told this paper that his main focus is taking care of the health of the people around him, and that the time will come to return to high performance competition.
Regarding his training regimen at home, he does a series of exercises every day, to stay in shape and maintain his weight at 63 kilograms.
"I'm not in a gym, but at home I do push-ups, planks, shadow-boxing, work my abs and lift weights, all of which I combine with morning runs. That's the plan my coach Emiliano Chirino provided me when we left the Holveín Quesada National Boxing School."
For Andy Cruz, the biggest concern right now is how long it might take for the sport to return to normal. He is confident, however, that it will only take him two weeks to reach 100%, as the exercises he does at home keep him active.
HOME TRAINING
"The difference between getting ready at home and the gym is significant, since you’re not doing a few important routines. Being alone requires a great deal of determination and effort, but you can't neglect the physical part under any circumstances," said the two-time world champion.
This training, which Andy does not intend to neglect, is the fundamental factor that has allowed him to be Cuba’s best performing boxer since 2017, he insists.
"I haven't changed anything in my physical or technical conditioning plans. I don't plan to make any big changes when it comes to getting back into the ring either. Depending on the characteristics of my opponent, I go out and try to impose the fighting style that is most effective, without this implying any kind of overconfidence," he told Granma.
Speaking of possible rivals in an Olympic final, in which the fighter today appears as the main candidate in the light welterweight, he mentioned U.S. boxer Keyshawn Davis (World and Pan-American runner-up in 2019). He is one of the strongest opponents Andy has fought and there is a good chance the two could face off in the decisive bout for the 63 kg title.
The fact that Andy Cruz has been tagged a "serious contender for gold" in Tokyo, is not uncomfortable for him. He is trying to take things easy and wait for the Games, to deliver his usual boxing performance.
"I can't deny that being a pre-competition favorite puts a little pressure on me, but I've been dealing with that calmly for months now. When I was a kid I dreamed of becoming an Olympic champion and today I'm one step away from it.”
Asked about the rest of the national team’s prospects, the charismatic fighter said that the chances are good that Cuba will have a full eight man-team in Japan.
"Everyone is focused on winning their spot, whenever a decision is made about the pre-Olympic tournament in the Americas. Then, we will get ready to face the challenge of Tokyo. The quality is there to contribute to a good performance at the top event," he concluded.
