Multiple champion Omara Durand leading Cuba's delegation of paralympic athletes to Tokyo

July 18, 2021

The multi-champion Cuban paralympic athlete Omara Durand will lead the delegation of 16 athletes who will represent the Island at the Tokyo Paralympic Games, which will be held from August 24 to September 5 in the Japanese capital.

The Cuban team of para-athletes will compete in athletics, swimming, cycling, judo, shooting, weightlifting and table tennis.

The Island's representation will also be composed of 39 officials, coaches, medical and paramedical staff and a guide, declared Jorge Reinaldo Palma, head of the technical department of the National Sports Department for People with Disabilities, cited by the digital site Jit.

Durand, who will fight to demonstrate her favoritism in the speed events of paraathletics, will be accompanied by her guide, Yúnior Kindelán, who has already achieved important victories alongside her.

According to the sports publication, the athlete from Santiago who competes in the T12 category, will take to the tracks of the Tokyo Olympic Stadium on August 31 to compete in the 400 meters, on September 2 in the 100 meters and on the 4th in the 200 meters.

The rest of the Cuban paraathletics representatives will be Uliser Aguilera and Guillermo Varona, in para-javelin, Leonardo Díaz and Noraivis de las Heras (para-discus), Leinier Savón (100 meters and para-long jump), and Robiel Yanquiel Sol and Ángel Jiménez, also para-jumpers.

In swimming, the Paralympic record holder in the 100 meters freestyle, Lorenzo Pérez, will attempt to reach the top of the podium in Japan, while Gerardo Rodríguez, in the 81 kg category, and Yordani Fernández (over 100 kg), will defend the Island in para-judo.

The rest of the Cuban competitors in the Tokyo event are para-cyclist Damián López, Yunier Fernández, in para-table tennis, para-weightlifters Leidy Rodríguez and Oniger J. Drake, and para-shooter Yenigladys Suárez.

Seven of those Cuban paralympic athletes participated in the Rio 2016 Games, when the Island placed 18th in the medal count by country with eight gold, one silver and six bronze.

Cuba will compete this time in seven disciplines, among which sport shooting makes its debut, indicates the sports-specialized media.

Since its debut in Barcelona 1992 and through the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Games, the Island has recorded 39 gold medals, 27 silver and 23 bronze at the Paralympic Games.