Cuban delegation to the Junior Pan American Games receives flag

The flag-raising ceremony for the Cuban delegation competing in the 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asunción took place today at the historic Antonio Maceo Monumental Complex, where the memory of heroes is remembered.

Inés María Chapman, Deputy Prime Minister, and Mijaín López, five-time Olympic champion and Hero of the Republic of Cuba. Presented the national flag to athletes Yaynelis Sanz Verdecia, freestyle wrestling champion, and rower Roberto Carlos Paz.

Sanz Verdecia, gold medalist at Cali-Valle 2021 and current senior Pan American champion in Querétaro, expressed his emotion upon receiving the flag from the “Giant of Herradura,” as Mijaín López is known.

“It is an enormous responsibility and an indescribable pride. We are going to give our all for Cuba,” he told the Cuban News Agency.

As friendly as ever, López, a Cuban legend in Greco-Roman wrestling. Motivated the young athletes who will be in the Paraguayan capital from August 9th to 23rd.

Deputy Prime Minister Chapman emphasized that wearing the four letters of Cuba on their chests is the greatest victory: “You are the honor of our people and our revolutionary sports movement, sustained by human effort and science.”

At the event, decathlete Josmi Sánchez read the commitment of the delegation. Made up of 231 athletes (117 men and 114 women), who aim to surpass the haul of 29 gold, 19 silver. 22 bronze medals achieved at Cali-Valle 2021.

The event, held in San Pedro, Bauta, Artemisa province—the site where Antonio Maceo and Panchito Gómez Toro fell in combat in 1896—was also attended by Yuniasky Crespo, member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and head of the Department of Attention to the Social Sector. Osvaldo Vento, head of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation. Roberto León Richards, president of the Cuban Olympic Committee.

Zail Ramírez, the official male judoka and flag bearer, was unable to attend for health reasons, the organizing committee reported.

Finally Cuba will compete in 28 disciplines at Asunción 2025. One of the key steps on its path to the Lima 2027 Pan American Games. And the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, under the motto “With Love for Cuba.”

With information from CNA

Radio Angulo
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