Led by the athletics squad the Island’s delegation closed a good day, and prepares to continue adding prizes

Amid a final stretch promising good news, the Cuban delegation will begin this Tuesday’s session placed ninth in the medal table of the II Junior Pan American Games.

Following the “lift” provided by athletics’ five prizes on its debut, including the title won by discus thrower Alejandra Mesa, the Island has so far recorded five crowns, an equal number of silver medals and six bronzes for a total of 16.

Brazil remains comfortably at the front of the nations ranking with a balance of 58-28-38. With five days remaining on the calendar, its figures already seem out of reach for Colombia (27-16-25) and the United States (23-28-24), the countries that follow, in that order.

The king of sports must continue giving joy to the Cubans, as it will only be going through its second competitive day at the Paraguayan Olympic Park stadium.

This Tuesday the focus will be on the conclusion of the decathlon, as Josmi Sánchez could certify his leadership obtained after the first five events, in which he accumulated 3982 points.

Also with prize options will be Reynaldo Espinosa (100 metres), Aniel Molina (long jump), Enmanuel Ramírez (shot put) and Melissa Padrón (800 metres).

At the Olympic Aquatic Centre, which will soon host the synchronised swimming exponents, the divers will have their farewell session, among them Frank Abel Rosales, who will be going for his second crown at the games.

Winner of the one-metre springboard, the matancero will this time be in the final from the three-metre board, and despite some mistakes in the qualifier, he will start among the favourites to occupy a place on the podium.

In turn, the volleyball players will take on a crucial clash with the Brazilian squad in the closing of group B, on whose result their chances of accessing the medal distribution depend.

The beach volleyball pairs will likewise continue their steps through the group phase in the contests for each sex, whilst the table tennis players will resume actions in the team event.

A day for adaptation to the conditions of the venues and the holding of technical congresillos will be had by the disciplines called for the final days of the programme. Artistic swimming, wrestling, canoeing and weightlifting appear among those involved in these phases.