Rafael Alba titled himself panamerican champion of taekwondo

June 4, 2021

Rafael Alba earned his title this Thursday in the over 87 kilograms division at the Pan American Taekwondo Championship, after defeating American Jonathan Healy at the Crown Paradise Club hotel in the Mexican city of Cancún.

A two-time world champion, Alba added his sixth victory against the northerner, this time with a score of 11-5 points in a fight with much back-and-forth action, highlighted from the venue via WhatsApp by Iván Fernández, president of the Cuban federation of this sport.

Healy, gold medalist at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima in the +80 kg category, eliminated local Carlos Sansores.

The Santiago native, qualified for Tokyo 2020, had defeated Brazilian Robson Henrique 16-1, silver medalist at the 2019 Mexico Open and killer this Thursday of his high-profile countryman Maicon Siqueira, bronze medalist at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games and at the 2019 Lima Pan American Games.

Alba disposed of fellow American Russell Gresham in his first fight by technical superiority 30-10 points in the third round.

The other Cuban in action today, Yadier Limonta, fell 6-9 in his first bout against local Bryan Salazar in the 87 kilograms division.

The championship, which awards points for the international federation ranking, proved ideal for preparation heading into Tokyo 2020.