Cuba Selected 2011 Best Athletes

Boxer Julio Cesar La Cruz and discus thrower Yarelis Barrios were selected Cuba’s Best Athletes in 2011 on Monday. La Cruz, world and Pan-American champion, and Barrios, winner of the Diamond League and Pan-American champion, won nearly all votes.By Pl

La Cruz, world and Pan-American champion, and Barrios, winner of the Diamond League and Pan-American champion, won nearly all votes in the poll organized by the National Institute for Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER) and the Circle of Sports Reporters of the Union of Cuban Journalists (UPEC).

Voleyball players Wilfredo Leon and Yoana Palacio were also chosen in collective sport category, while boxer Lazaro Alvarez was the Rookie of the Year.

Boxing (in individual sports) and volleyball (in collective sports) were chosen the best sports of the year.

This year’s top ten Cuban athletes were Mijain Lopez (wrestling), Lazaro Borges, Dayron Robles and Leonal Suarez (track & field), Idalis Ortiz and Asley Gonzalez (judo), Hanser Garcia (swimming), Leinier Dominguez (chess), Lisandra Guerra (cycling) and Rosbelis Despaigne (tae kwon do).

Sprinter Yunidis Castillo once again headed the best disabled athlete category this year.

At the meeting, held in Havana’s Sports City, the performance given by all Cuban medallists at the Pan-American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, and other international events was highlighted.