Gold jumps for Cuba in Santiago 2023 athletics

LAZARUS Martínez arrived this Friday determined to give himself a crown for his 26th birthday and he got it. Along the way, he recovered the triple jump title for Cuba in the middle of the final stretch of athletics in the XIX Pan American Games.

The man from Guantanamo became the seventh man on the Island to master this specialty, thanks to a jump of 17.19 meters on his first attempt, enough to “cool down” the competition, since no one else could come close to that mark.

The Budapest 2023 world runner-up returned to the vault, but ended up missing his second attempt. Seeing the way his rivals presented themselves, he gave up his next opportunities, a strategy defined for circumstances like this.

«My coach told me that I had to ensure a jump, because we don’t know if the weather is going to change and the cold starts. I did that and I feel very happy,” he said as he passed through the mixed zone of the National Stadium of Chile with his first Pan American crown in his hand.

«At least I will take ten days of vacation. It has been an intense year, in which I have achieved goals. “Then it will be time to prepare for Paris 2024,” he said, thinking about an Olympic event that could have him among its medalists.

Regarding his relationship with his coach, Yoelbi Quesada, he confessed that it is the best thing that has happened to him. It is clear that the chemistry between them is bearing fruit, to the point that he can boast of dominating a competition that had his coach as king on three occasions.

There could have been more on the night, but Brazilian Almir Dos Santos stood between Cristian Nápoles and the silver medal. The South American anchored in second place with a jump of 16.92 meters, out of reach of the Havana native, this time third with a discreet mark of 16.66 meters.

Cristian was seen frustrated at the awards ceremony and tears cut short the possible exchange with the media. The feeling of not having lived up to expectations was uncontrollable, like what had happened minutes before.

ZAYAS WAS REBORN WITH THE LAST JUMP

If four years ago his victory was one of the most pleasant surprises, Luis Enrique Zayas came to this edition as the man to beat in the high jump.

The pressure that always entails defending a crown was seen at times, while from the stands his coach Juan Francisco Centelles and world record holder Javier Sotomayor, former monarchs in these struggles, tried to correct and support.

“For my taste it was a regular competition, the technique of the impulse race was not going well and I almost got complicated,” confessed the man from Santiago after recovering from the “scare” thanks to a saving jump of 2.2, executed in the third try.

“It’s not a world-class brand, but tonight it gave me the gold medal and I’m happy,” he accepted, enjoying his double reign, although he knows how hard he has to work to shine next season, which will come with greater challenges.

It caught the attention of many that, before the decisive jump, the Bahamian Donald Thomas, then with the bronze medal secure, approached the Cuban to offer his advice. The image was one of the best examples of fair play seen in this event, and left more than one eager for details…

“He told me to activate the first steps of the momentum race so that I could reach the jump well,” Zayas said about what happened, after having failed a couple of times with the winning height. Both Thomas and the Puerto Rican Luis Joel Castro finished with 2.24 meters, but the best position belonged to the Puerto Rican.

SILVER AND BRONZE THAT SHINE LIKE GOLD

Runners Daily Cooper and Yoao Illas became a kind of uncrowned champions. Thanks to her silver medal in the 1,500 meter race; He with a personal best in the 400 meters hurdles, valid to take over the bronzed metal.

«I came with a prediction of fifth place, but in the competition I realized that I could. “I even had the strength to go on the outside and come in second,” commented the middle distance runner happily, the second Cuban to win a medal in the distance in Pan American events.

Illas, who had announced the goal of breaking under 50 seconds, finished equally proud. He accomplished it by stopping the clocks at 49.74 seconds.

«I feel happier with the brand than with the medal. For me that is more important, although I am enjoying the award,” he confessed, satisfied with his debut in these competitions. His performance allowed him to join the Jamaican Jaheel Hyde (49.19) and the Brazilian Matheus Lima (49.69) on the podium.

The day was completed with the fourth place of Zurian Hechavarría in the 400 meters hurdles, with a time of 57.70 seconds. Rose Mary Almanza (2:02.87 minutes) and Sahily Diago (2:05.71) secured spaces in the 800 meters final set for the closing of this Saturday.