In combat, poomsae and parataekwondo, a total of 17 Cubans will compete today for the Pan American Games and the Parapan Am Games in Lima 2019, with possibilities to classify the complete teams in the Olympic divisions and those of athletes with disabilities.

In the Dominican Republic, immediately after the qualifying championship in Lima 2019, the Taekwondo Open in Santo Domingo will be held, where 10 of the Cubans will seek points for the universal ladder.

Within the qualifying round, the eight who reach the round of 16 in kyorugi (combat) will go to Lima 2019, since each division in the Pan American Games has 12 places, except for women's full weight, with eight spots.

To reach the last eight, at least, Cuban taekwondo has Yania Aguirre, world bronze in Mexico 2013 and Pan-American champion in Toronto 2015 at 49 kilograms (kg).

In addition, will compete Tamara Roble (57 kg) and Arletty de la Caridad Acosta (67 kg), Central American and Caribbean holders in Barranquilla 2018.

It closes the female squad the champion of the orb in Mexico 2013, Glenhis Hernandez (more than 67 kg).

José Cobas (80 kg), holder in Toronto 2015, and Rafael Alba (more than 80 kg), world champion in Mexico 2013, will try to serve as an example to the two Cubans with less palmares, Eliecer Pérez (58 kg) and Rogelio López (68 kg), although these will find discrete rivals, mostly.

Esther Melissa Martínez, Bladimir Alarcón and Pedro Pablo Escalona will seek classification in poomsae (preset forms of imaginary combat).

Cuba could participate in the six divisions of parataekwondo in Lima 2019, since there are eight places for each peso and the nation is the only one with presence in all the divisions in the Dominican Republic qualifier, an affordable tournament.

Source: Lian Morales Heredia, ACN