Field field hockey as a sport and the individualities of Yaimaris Martínez Cervantes (sailing), Jorge Martínez Wilson (judo), Yurismaily García Sánchez (field hockey) and Magnol Suárez Fis (handball) were among the top winners in the selection of the most outstanding athletes of the year in Ciego de Ávila, during 2023.

Field hockey was not only recognized as the best sport, but also received the distinction of Event of the Year for winning the competitions in all categories, something that will be very difficult to repeat in future competitions.

In the individual sports category, the awards went to swimming and sailing, the former for being the discipline with the most medals in the School Games and third place in those competitions, and sailing for first place in national regattas.

The best team was the men’s field field hockey team, which won its seventh straight crown, but there were also mentions for the women’s field hockey team and the men’s futsal team, both of which were also Cuban titleholders.

The list of the ten outstanding athletes of the territory includes Luis Ernesto Quesada Pérez (chess), Yandy Espinosa Marrero (racquetball), Taimi Licea Pérez (field hockey), Carlos Consuegra Jardines (field hockey), Richard Somontes Salas (field hockey), Dairon Lázaro Luis Torres (field hockey), Maikol Rabí Correa (swimming), Geobanny Neninger Luis (field hockey), Rachel Contreras Díaz (basketball) and Raúl González Isidoría (baseball).

Cyclist Randol Izquierdo Rodríguez was proclaimed Rookie of the Year for his silver and bronze medals at the ALBA Games, while Yunior Sosa Naranjo (wrestling) was nominated Best International Referee and Eugenio Aragón García at the national level.

Heriberto Sarduy Gómez (field hockey) was distinguished as Best Technical Director and Osmel Valdivia Pardo (futsal) received a mention. In the same category, but at the grassroots level, Anie Serantes Valdés (swimming) and Lionid Braje Reina (wrestling) were designated.

In the category of Best Contracted Athlete, Alain Román González was chosen for his results in the leagues of Guatemala and Mexico, and Pedro Bombino Parada (basketball), who excelled in the first division of Argentina, received a mention.

Raciel González Isidoría’s bronze medal at the Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile, made him the most outstanding athlete in that category, and Kevin Cárdenas Fuentes, also in athletics, received a mention.

In the youth sector, awards were given to chess player Kebert Solares Orozco and handball player Andro González Ruíz. Other winners were Joaquín Pulgarón Rodríguez (best activist) and Sandra Álvarez Morales (best Physical Education teacher). (By Mario Martín Martín)