• Submitted by: Camila
• Sports
• 11 / 20 / 2014

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Cuban taekwondo Glenhis Hernandez, World Champion, has been suspended from official competitions for one year for making an obscene gesture on Monday during the awarding of the 73kg in the Central American and Caribbean Games.

Hernandez, who was defeated 3-1 in the final of her category by the Mexican Maria Espinoza, double Olympic medalist, raised the middle finger of her left hand during the awards, in sing of disapproval. In the fight against Espinoza, Cuban was upset by the judge’s decisions.

The president of the Mexican Taekwondo Federation, Juan Manuel Lopez, confirmed the sanction against Hernandez, who apparently kept her silver medal.

Lopez said that the rude gesture contravenes the values of taekwondo and warned that Cuban will miss the Pan American Games, the worldwide specialty and possibly relegated the Olympic cycle.

The Cuban delegation tried to defend Hernandez on the grounds that at the time of the award she had injured her finger and lift it was needed. Cuban officials insisted on defending her and requested a hearing which was rejected.

"CASCO’s and taekwondo authorities definitely decided that the sign existed and got the indication that there was intent, so we proceeded to the penalty," said the president of the Mexican Federation Taekwondo.