US wrestlers compete in Cuba despite frayed relations
COME SEE HOW WE
BEAT ANY PRICE ALL DAY LONG
ON ALL NEW 2020 NISSAN MODELS
DWAYNE DAVID Special Financing
Available
LARGE SELECTION • GREAT OPTIONS • GREAT REPUTATION
Caribbean Life, February 21-27, 2020 43
By Andrea Rodriguez
HAVANA (AP) — Two dozen
athletes from the U.S. flew to
Cuba despite rising tensions
between the countries to participate
in the island’s most
important Greco-Roman and
freestyle annual wrestling
competition.
The athletes came from
states including New York,
Minnesota and Wyoming and
included several Olympians.
“We’re down here to compete
in one of the greatest
sports in the world,” said
Robby Smith, a 2016 Olympian
from Danville, California.
He said he was too focused
on the sport to think about
political issues. “When it
comes down to it — sports
— it gets rid of all that. It’s a
peaceful thing. It’s not political.’’
The visit comes several
months after the U.S. government
imposed major restrictions
on educational and recreational
travel to Cuba as
President Donald Trump continues
to roll back Obamaera
efforts to restore normal
relations.
Luis Alberto Orta, a Cuban
wrestler in the 130-pound
(60-kilogram) category,
brushed aside those issues.
“It’s essential that athletes
from all countries be able to
fraternize with us,” he said.
A total of 14 countries are
participating in the Granma
Cup and Cerro Pelado competition
in Havana, among
them Canada, Honduras,
Argentina and Hungary. The
Granma Cup hosts Greco-
Roman wrestlers and takes
place Monday and Tuesday.
The Cerro Pelado is for freestyle
wrestlers and is scheduled
for Feb. 15-16.
Manuel Rodriguez, a member
of Cuba’s National Wrestling
Commission, said it is
the event’s 53rd edition.
“Trump can have those policies,
but we are always going
to receive all those athletes
who want to come and compete
with us,” he said.
The American athletes are
visiting at the same time as
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the
Roman Catholic archbishop
of New York. Dolan was
invited by Cuban President
Miguel Diaz-Canel and has
said he seeks to build bridges
between the people of both
countries.
Elgidio Rodriguez from Cuba is declared the winner against Peyton Ominea from the United
States, in the 67kg category in the semifi nals of the Granma Cup and Cerro Pelado
International tournament, in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. The Granma Cup, which
is the Greco-Roman portion of the tournament, is set for Feb. 11-12, while the Cerro Pelado,
which will feature men’s freestyle action, was expected to take place Feb. 15-16.
Associated Press / Ramon Espinosa
BAY RIDGE NISSAN
Call and one of our sales
associates will answer
your questions.
BayRidgeNissan.com
SALES AND SERVICE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
Showroom Hours: Mon to Thurs: 9am-9pm | Fri: 9am-6pm
Sat: 9am-6pm | Sun: 12pm-5pm
See dlr for more details. DMV#7076824, NYC DCA Lic. #698282
5THAve and 65TH St, Brooklyn, NY
1-877-254-2260
DWAYNE DAVIDCall and one of our sales
associates will answer
your questions.
/BayRidgeNissan.com