Radio Cadena Agramonte emisiora de Camagüey
Santiago de Chile, Nov. 10 - "Cuban Paralympic sport continues to grow," assured Raúl Fornés Valenciano, First Vice President of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (Inder, for its acronym in Spanish), and head of the delegation that just delivered an outstanding performance at the VI 2025 Chile Youth Parapan American Games.
Cuba, represented in only four sports, finished seventh among countries with 29 medals (12-13-4), a higher number than that obtained in the previous edition in Bogotá 2023 (22/11-7-4).
"Our athletes behaved incredibly, even those in para table tennis, who although they didn't win medals,they are very young, but they also demonstrated grit, desire to compete, and in whom we have a future ahead. They left a good impression here at the venue and on us, with whom we must continue working."
He also mentioned parajudo, in which our 14-year-old representative attended with only a few months of training, but had a combative presence, a lot of grit, and by working with him, Fornés predicts a good future.
"Para-athletics was the jewel, with eight gold, eight silver, and two bronze medals, thanks to excellent, exceptional work, which we say with great pride," he commented.
"The closing of the powerlifting events with four gold, five silver, and two bronze with an extraordinary team. These girls have captivated everyone here at the venue, demonstrating a promising future," he indicated.
"In this sport, the last national anthem heard to close the competitions was Cuban. And that also leaves a mark, a message that Cuban Paralympic sport continues to grow and likewise has a future to advance," he noted.
Fornés Valenciano highlighted the higher efficiency compared to the previous edition, at 107%, of the total medals against the total number of participants.
"I believe it has been almost a record for our delegation and what we came to do here was precisely to evaluate the sports reserve for the future of sports for people with disabilities in Cuba. It’s a good omen; we have potential, the results speak for themselves, and it’s a commitment to continue working with these young people, the new generations, to ensure Cuban Paralympic sport in the present and in the future,” he stated.
“I think it’s a gift for the people of Cuba, and especially for those who suffered the impact of Hurricane Melissa in eastern Cuba. It’s the way these young people have been able to contribute their support, their joy, and their grain of sand to the recovery of our country,” he concluded. (Source: ACN)
