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• Sports
• 07 / 17 / 2007

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Cuba won a gold and silver medal Monday in weightlifting on the third day of the Pan American Games. Meanwhile, the popular Cuban Womens Volleyball team finished its qualifying round undefeated by sweeping the United States.

Ivan Cambar took first place in the 77 kg division and Javier Valladares finished second to Colombian Jose Oliver Ruiz in the 85 kg division.

Both Valladares and Ruiz lifted a total of 363 kg but the gold medal went to the South American because of his 5 grams less bodyweight.

After the third day of the weightlifting competition Cuba, which is competing in five weight divisions, has achieved medals in four, three gold and one silver, ahead of the Dominicans with one gold three silver and one bronze. Cuba still has two other possibilities for medals in Yoandris Hernandes (94 kg) and Joel MacKenzie (105). Besides yesterdays gold medal, Colombia also took the 62 kg division where no Cuban competed.

In the womens weightlifting divisions Mexico won at 48 kg, Dominican Republic (53 kg), Ecuador (58 kg) and Colombia (63kg).

CUBA DEFEATS US IN WOMENS VOLLEYBALL

Once again the rain affected outdoor competitions in Rio de Janeiro. However, Cubans Dalixia Fernandez and Tamara Larrea were able to debut on the sand against Nicaragua winning easily 21-6 and 21-9, shortly before the Brazilians swept away the US duo.

In indoor play in the evening, the Cubans walked over the US 3-0 (25-16, 25-23 and 25-15) to qualify in first place of Group-B. Their semifinal rival depends on the outcome of the game between the Dominican Republic and Peru.

Yumilka Ruiz, Yanelys Santos and Rosir Calderon, with 12 points, led the Cuban offensive. The US team now plays the mighty Brazilians in the semifinals. Brazil, like Cuba, finished 3-0 in Group-A in the qualifying round.

WATER SPORTS

Cuba seeks its first medal in water sports in the 13 rowing finals beginning on Tuesday. Four years ago in Santo Domingo Cuba took six gold medals in mens rowing and three by the women.

In womens artistic gymnastics, the US won all the medals. Cubas Modelen Tamayo finished eighth, Yahanara Cese 17^th and Dunas Lamas 18^th.

The first round of mens artistic gymnastics was won by Venezuelan Jorge Luis Fuentes. Cuban athletes Gerardo Medina finished sixth, Reynier Villardis 17th and Irving Arroyo 18th.

Source: Granma