Sixteen countries attend int' l wrestling tournament in Cuba

Over 300 athletes from 16 countries will participate at the 46th International Wrestling Tournament "Granma-Cerro Pelado" , to start here on Wednesday, the Cuban official media highlighted.

Among the nations with the strongest presence, the daily "Granma" mentioned Hungary, Kazakhstan, Poland, Germany, United States, India, and Canada. It will guarantee a "hurricane of fifth category on the mattresses of the Havana Sports City until next Sunday" , the paper stressed.

Meanwhile, the hosting island is to be represented by three wrestlers in every event.

Wednesday is scheduled to start with the Greco-Roman style in the divisions of 59, 71, 80 and 98 kilograms. In that modality Cuba has laid its major expectance on the shoulders of Ismael Borrero and Maykel Anache, both in 59 kgs; Reynier Lescay (71), Alan Vera (80), and Yasmani Lugo (98).

Related to the main pitfalls among the visitors, Granma cited the Americans Spencer Mango (59 kg and No. 12 in the world ranking), Kendrick Sanders (71kg-20), Ben Vicar (80kg-19) and Caylor Williams (98kg-17).

The Granma-Cerro Pelado Tournament is considered the most important wrestling competition in Cuba. In the previous matches the locals conquered seven of the eight titles in dispute of the Classic Style, three in the female free-style, and six among the men in the same category, followed by the United States (6) and Colombia (2).

Cuban wrestling will meet forces during 2015 in other international commitments as the Pan American Championships in Santiago, Chile (24-26 April), the continental games in Toronto (15-18 July), the world championships in Las Vegas (7-12 September), and the World Cup in Los Angeles (11-12 April) for the free style fighters. Endi