• Submitted by: Juana
• Local
• international
• Sports
• 05 / 05 / 2017

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The Pan-American Wrestling Championships begins today in the Brazilian city of Salvador de Bahía, contest that will bring together some of the best exponents of the continent in that sport.
Cuba will attend this tournament with a mix of young and experienced athletes, led by Ismael Borrero (59 kg), gold medalist at Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games and world monarch in Las Vegas 2015; and Yasmani Lugo (98), runner-up in Rio Olympics, both in the Greco-Roman style.
Mijaín Lopez (130), thrice Olympic champion and five-time universal monarch, won´t attend this competition and will be replaced by Oscar Pino.
In the case of the freestyle squad, the Caribbean nation won´t present its three main figures, Yowlys Bonne (61), Alejandro Valdes (65) and Reinieris Salas (97), but Franklin Maren (65), Andres Ramos (97), Yurieski Torreblanca (86) and Yudenny Alpajon (125), all have experience in Pan American Championships and will compete on Brazilian soil.
In the women´s event, Cuba will only be represented by Yaquelin Estornell (58), runner-up in the Azerbaijan Golden Grand Prix last November.
The continental tournament grants tickets to the World Cup, next August, to the first eight athletes of each division, which will undoubtedly be an extra motivation.