Cubans Competing Under Different Flags at Paris 2024: Néstor Almanza Jr.'s Quest for His Father's Glory

Néstor Evian Almanza Truyol (Havana, July 28, 2002) will compete on Wednesday, August 7, starting at 11:21 AM (European time), in the 67-kilogram category of Greco-Roman wrestling, representing Chile, the country that granted him citizenship in 2023. He will face Moldovan Valentin Petic in the round of 16 at the Champ de Mars Arena.

In Cuba, Néstor began his training at the EIDE Mártires de Barbados sports school in Havana, which he remembers fondly. He moved to Chile in 2020 after being separated from his father, Néstor Almanza Baro, who placed fourth in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and was a world champion in Greco-Roman wrestling in 1993. One of Néstor Jr.'s dreams was to be coached by his father, who had been in Chile since 2013, working as the head coach for the national team.

Shortly after arriving in Chile, his grandmother passed away in Cuba, and his father had to return to the island. Néstor was left alone in a foreign country, making that period particularly tough despite finding support from those who welcomed him like family and gave him "the strength to keep fighting." At that time, competing in the Paris Olympics seemed uncertain since he was told that gaining citizenship could take several years. However, he received it by grace, and with it, new opportunities emerged.

In 2023 and 2024, after becoming a citizen, Néstor Almanza Jr. won silver and bronze medals at the Pan American wrestling championships. Qualifying for Paris is "something big" and "a source of pride" for him because "not everyone has the chance to compete in the Olympics." This achievement wasn't by chance; it was one of his goals for the past year. He shared his aspirations in an interview with CDO Noticias.

A week before qualifying for Paris, Néstor competed at the specific Pan American championship and lost a tough match against the same opponent he faced at the Olympic qualifier in Acapulco. Instead of being discouraged, he focused on identifying areas for improvement and worked on them. "I kept working with my dad, and we did things right," he said. He also mentioned talking with Olympic medalist Yasmani Acosta, who had just won silver in Greco-Roman wrestling in Paris after competing against the legendary Mijaín López. "Yasmani told me, 'This is something big. You have to give it your all. Come with me to Paris.'"

That's how Néstor Almanza Jr. defeated American Alejandro Sancho at the Acapulco Pre-Olympic, qualified for Paris, and celebrated with a gymnast's flip that the Chilean Federation highlighted on its social media. "That's how you celebrate!"

To reach this point, his formula is simple: follow his coach's instructions to the letter. "He's the one who knows. He has an impressive resume," admits the Cuban-Chilean.

Néstor Almanza Jr. arrives in Paris with confidence. He sees a medal as achievable. This year, he trained in Cuba with high-level athletes, then moved to Europe, and finally landed at the Olympics, hungry for success and eager to follow in his father's footsteps. "He was always my example." He already has an edge because his father competed in his first Olympics at 21, while Néstor Jr. is 22 and aiming for a medal to surpass his father.

A total of 21 Cuban athletes will represent other delegations at the Paris 2024 Olympics, a number that highlights the relentless exodus of athletes in recent years.