Among the best part of the recently finished 60th edition of Playa Girón National Boxing Tournament was the coronation of Julio César La Cruz in the 92 kilogram division.

La Sombra began his career with an unexpected medal in 2008, which made him the success of that version held in Holguín, and although he later could not reach the Olympic ticket in the 81 kg category, he entered the national preselection, he never went back out again and where he won medals in all categories.

He now returns from Sancti Spíritus with his 13 medal, to equal the historical leadership with the legendary Félix Savón.

But the domestic boxing competition, won for the first time by the team from Sancti Spiritus and in spectacular fashion, left other interesting elements.

One of them has to do with the venue itself, since no team has ever lost more than three men in a row in the same evening, and the Yayaberos suffered five defeats in a row, in the matches of the final day.

Some were very controversial, like Dariesqui Palmero in the 60 against Rafael Joubert (in the worst case, it should never have been a 4-1 decision), but then Jorge Cuéllar (75) and Adonis Bel (more than 92), to
displace Cienfuegos from the first place.

When Bel went up on the rink, the home team was down by one point, but after winning by RSCI in the first round against the favorite Fernando Arzola, they finished ahead. Here I was surprised on the previous date
that the athlete from Santiago de Cuba was given the victory after suffering an injury, after appealing to how the votes were going up to that moment, that is only done in a finale, not when the boxer must fight again, since it’s practically impossible for the wound not to reopen in such a short period of time.

Anyways, the fight had to be stopped very soon, and the good thing was the uproar of those gathered at the Yayabo Sports Center, aware that this victory represented the provincial title.

Adrián Licea Pérez also deserved recognition for the home team. He was one of the biggest surprises of the event, after defeating more than one favorite, despite his training deficit of only 15 days, due to being in the training days of his Military Service and suffering from hepatitis. for four months. Even so, he did not win the crown in his weight because logical fatigue led him to constant grappling and the judges punished him for that, despite giving the best blows in the final.

It was also very nice to see Jorge Soto, who despite losing unanimously against the twice Olympic champion Arlen López, showed that he can easily make a place for himself when he competes in more divisions.

Arlen was chosen as the most technical boxer; Cuéllar, the most combative, and the match of Saidel Horta and Yosvani Veitía in the 57 kg was chosen as the best of all.

Horta already has his ticket for the Olympic Games of Paris 2024, but El Diablo can be his best sparring partner, and also continue facing challenges in the professional world, even if he hasn't done well so far.

We are looking forward to seeing the most anticipated fight of this Competition between the three-time world champion Lázaro Álvarez and the current world runner-up Erislandy Álvarez, but the Prince had health
problems and, despite being at the headquarters to force his presence until the last minute, he couldn't put on his gloves.

Here the group of coaches will have to find the formula to decide who will go to the first pre-Olympic, scheduled for March 4-11 in Italy.

Finally, the effort of Sancti Spíritus to organize the event quickly. It deserves all the recognition in the world, even more so because it was not just any event, but the 60th anniversary of these tournaments.

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSí Translation Staff