Cuba Wins Gold in Taekwondo in Veracruz Games

Cuban Rafael Alba won the gold medal in the 87 kg division in taekwondo of the 22nd Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico.

Alba, world champion last year in Puebla, showed no mercy with Jamaican Craig Brown, whom he unobjectionable beat 18-2 , to thereby add another important laurel to his young career.

Alba won 15-3 his first fight against Carlos Rivas from Venezuela; while in semifinals he easily defeated 13-0 Colombian Moises Molinares .

Also on Monday, Yamicel Nunez, 53 kilos, and Glenhis Hernandez (73), came to the discussion of the title but could not climb to the top of the podium.

Nunez, world bronze medalist last year, lost the opportunity to win the crown after losing 3-4 to host Diana Lara, in a combat defined in the final seconds.

In the case of Hernandez, 2013 universal champion, she was defeated 1-3 by the also local Maria Espinoza, Beijing 2008 Olympic champion.

With these results, Cuban taekwondo appears second by country in the games, with two medals of each color, discipline largely dominated by Mexico (9-0-2).