Cuban judoka Savón and Beltrán retire

Cuban judokas Amarilis Savón, world champion in the 52-kilo category and bronze medallist at the Olympic Games in Athens, and Daíma Beltrán, Olympic silver medallist in the 78-plus kilos, have decided to hang up their kimonos.

Beltrán, who had thought of extending her career until the end of 2005, brought her retirement forward following the decision taken by the team’s coaches not to attend the Fukuoka tournament in Japan in December.

"It’s a big disappointment for me because it’s a traditional gala, a judo fiesta in the country where judo originated. Our coaches have chosen not to go because we’re not in good physical shape, so I’d prefer to retire now," Beltrán told Granma International.

The judoka was world champion in Paris in 1997 and Birmingham in 1999, as well as winning the bronze medal in Munich in 2001 and Osaka in 2003.

Beltrán, who also won the Olympic silver medal in Sydney 2000, said that she was unhappy with her result in Athens: "The referee robbed me of the victory. In the beginning I felt sad but now, although I’m not satisfied I think that two Olympic silver medals aren’t bad," she explained.

But the ippons have not come to an end for her as she now wants to teach judo to young people. "I’m not going to try and turn them into champions, most of all I want to instill in them the discipline of our sport and contribute to training them as people and help prepare them for life."

LUPETEY HAS OPERATION ON RIGHT KNEE
For the second time in under one year, Cuban judoka Yurisleidis Lupetey, bronze medallist in the 57-kilo category in Athens, has had an operation on her right knee.

"Since the operation last year I’ve been in constant pain even whilst I’m walking. So I decided to have another operation and to date, my tendon hasn’t hurt me at all," explained Lupetey, whose leg was in plaster for a month.

The 23-year-old judoka – world champion in Munich 2001 and third in Osaka 2003 – is attending all the training sessions and concentrating on building up her strength, including plenty of abdominal exercises, for a rapid recovery.

"I’m the captain of the team so I have set an example. A new cycle has begun that will take us up to the Olympic Games in Beijing and this first season is decisive for the new members who have to acquire experience," explained Lupetey.

The judoka still doesn’t know her program for 2005, she just confirmed that: "I’ll be ready for the world championships in Egypt in September where I’ll be fighting for a victory."

DRIULIS GONZALEZ TO CONTINUE
Driulis González, bronze medallist in Athens in the 63-kilo category, has announced that she is to carry on competing at least until the 2005 World Championships.

"I was very disappointed with myself at the Olympics because I wanted to be in the final. I’m 31 years old but I feel on good form and very motivated to continue," said the judoka and mother of three-year-old Peter.

González won her fourth Olympic medal in Athens having previously taken bronze in 1992, gold in 1996 and silver in 2000 but on those occasions in the 57-kilo category.

Since she moved up a weight division following the birth of her son, she also won the silver medal at the 2003 World Championships. "The World Championships in Egypt are my short-term goal and I want to qualify for the final. If everything goes well for me then and if I’m still on good form, I think I’ll carry on until Beijing because I’ll only be 35 then," affirmed González.

VEITIA ANNOUNCES CHANGES
Imposing trainer Ronaldo Veitia was unhappy at returning without an Olympic title from Athens, despite the fact that his pupils brought home five medals: one silver and four bronze.

"But so many great countries went home without any medals!" stated Veitia.
At the 2000 Games, the Cuban women’s team beat Japan in the medals table by winning two gold medals (in 52 and 70 kilos) and two silvers (57 and 78-plus kilos). He explained that 2005 will be a determining factor in the preparations for future medals in Beijing in 2008.

And he went on to announce some changes: he confirmed that Savón and Beltrán are to retire and commented that young Zambrano will move up from 48 to 52 kilos, whilst Anais Hernández in the 70-kilo category has been sanctioned.

"I also have some promising young athletes who have to acquire experience and more practice."

Veitia concluded: "We will fight to get the best possible results at the world championships in Egypt although we realize you can’t reconstruct a team in one fell swoop."