Page 22 - ARUBA TODAY

A22 SPORTS
Thursday 2 February 2017
Women demand Cuba support 1st female boxing team

ANDREA RODRIGUEZ
Associated Press
HAVANA (AP) — Cuban
men have won more
Olympic boxing medals
than fighters from any other
country. Now a group of
up-and-coming female
boxers on the island have
their eyes on the gold.
They want government
support to form Cuba’s first
female boxing team and
help dispel a decades-old
belief once summed up
by a former top coach:
“Cuban women are meant
to show the beauty of
their face, not receive
punches.”
Idamelys Moreno smirks at
that idea as she and half
a dozen other women step
up their training in hopes
of changing the mind of
Cuban officials.
“I see myself at the Olympics
in Japan 2020,” she said. In this Jan. 24, 2017 photo, Olympic silver medalist Emilio Correa Jr., center, instructs Idamelys Moreno, right, and Legnis Cala, at a
“That’s my dream.” sports center in Havana, Cuba.
Women were first allowed Associated Press
to box at the Summer Moreno recalled. “There analyzing the proposal and pretty strenuous sports, Flores has accused the
Olympics in 2012, and were around 12 of us, a carrying out medical studies I don’t understand Federation of Cuban
Moreno wants a shot at a lot of women from other to understand the impact why not boxing,” Women of not supporting
medal, too. The 24-year-old provinces, and they had to of blows to a woman’s said sports commentator their cause, even though
trains at least two hours a leave.” body and whether such Ismael Sene. the group helped women
day after she gets off work, Olympic silver medalist action is “appropriate.” Boxing has long been an enter professional fields
completing a routine that Emilio Correa Jr. stepped in A message left with the athletic stronghold for that were dominated by
includes running several to help some of the women Cuban Federation of Cuba, which has won 72 men prior to the revolution.
miles (kilometers), lifting find another gym while they Boxing was not returned. Olympic medals in that Female boxers inspired by
weights, hitting a punching push top Cuban officials to Female athletes in Cuba category and produced Flores say they hope to get
bag and sparring with both support female boxing. have made strides in many stars including Felix Savon, the same opportunity.
women and men. “They can bring more glory other sports, including Teofilo Stevenson, Emilio “My mom says it’s a
Moreno and other to the Cuban sport,” Correa wrestling, judo and, most Correa Sr., Julio Cesar La violent sport,” 25-year-
women once were said. “They are diamonds recently, weightlifting. In Cruz, Arlen Lopez and old Legnis Cala said as
thrown out of a local gym in the rough. ... The motor 2006, Cuba allowed the Robeisy Ramirez. her colorful extensions
when sports officials got skills, the explosive nature creation of the island’s The lack of women on that flew back and forth as
wind of them training there. and the energy of Cuban first female weightlifting roster disappoints many, she sparred with Moreno.
“One day without further boxers are also present in team for an international including Namibia Flores, “But there are women in
ado they said, ‘Listen, these women.” competition. who has trained in the other countries who also
sir, women cannot be But the government so far “If they’re allowed U.S. and starred in a 2014 box ... And if they give us
here because female appears unconvinced. in wrestling or in U.S. documentary called permission, I think we’ll also
boxing is not allowed,’” Officials have said they’re weightlifting, which are “Boxeadora.” make it.”q

No Williams sisters or Kerber

for Germany-U.S. in Fed Cup

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) met in the Australian Open doubles champion
— Serena Williams, Venus Open final, with Serena Bethanie Mattek-Sands,
Williams and Angelique winning her 23rd Grand Alison Riske and Shelby
Kerber will sit out the first- Slam title. Serena also Rodgers.
round Fed Cup matches replaced Kerber, who The German roster includes
between the United States was the Australian Open Laura Siegemund, Andrea
and Germany. defending champion, at Petkovic, Julia Goerges
New U.S. captain Kathy No. 1 in the WTA rankings and Carina Witthoeft.
In this Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017 photo, United States’ Serena Rinaldi announced her this week. The winning country will
Williams, left, embraces her sister, Venus, as she celebrates after roster on Wednesday for The American team will meet Spain or the Czech
winning the women’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis the best-of-five series on include Australian Open Republic in the Fed Cup
championships in Melbourne, Austalia. Feb. 11-12 in Maui, Hawaii.
Associated Press. singles semifinalist CoCo semifinals in April.q
The Williams sisters Vandeweghe, Australian