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Cuban Judokas Win Three Titles and Five Olympic Berths in Miami
Gonzalez, the best female judoka in 2007 and who had already secured a spot in the Beijing world meeting in previous events, topped the field in the 63-kilo division with a final victory by Ippon (similar to KO in boxing) over Brazilian Danielle Yuri in the gold medal bout.

Meanwhile, Laborde - also already classified for the Olympics - walked away with the crown in 78 kilos as her rival in the finale, Brazilian Edinanci Silva, forfeited due to an injury.

Then, in more than 78 kilos, Ortiz not only took the third title of the day for Cuba but she also booked a spot in next summers Olympic Games. In the finale, she beat Venezuelan Giovanna Blanco.

The other Cuban female judoka who classified for the Beijing Games next August was Yalennis Castillo (70 kg), who took a silver medal after losing in the finale to Brazilian Mayra Aguiar.

In the meantime, in the mens competition, Oscar Braison (+100 kg), Oscar Cardenas (81 kg) and Jorge Benavides (90 kg) also classified for the Olympic Games winning medals in their respective divisions. Braison took the silver in his category while Cardenas and Benavides finished with bronze.

Cuba won another bronze through Oreidis Despaigne (100 kg), who had already secured his Olympic berth winning the crown at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

After the first day of competitions, Brazil tops the medal standings with four titles, two silver and a bronze medal. Cuba (3-2-3) is second and Canada (1-0-1) is third.

(mathaba.net)

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