Havana, March 19 (RHC) – Six pelotaris from the island will travel to Panama to participate in the Panama Open 8 International Frontenis Tournament, from March 23 to 28.
The national commissioner of Basque pelota, Lázaro Mendoza Simón, confirmed the Antillean participation in the event, invited by the organizing committee of the competition, which will feature competitions in the women’s and men’s double categories.
The women’s team will consist of two players with proven international quality.
Havana native Daniela Darriba Yera, a four-time bronze medalist at world championships, will team up with Wendy Durán from Guantánamo. Both have reached the podium at the Pan American Games.
In the men’s division, the experienced Havana native Alejandro González will lead a group that also includes Yohan Martínez and Norges Andrés Justiz from Villa Clara, two young players who have dominated Cuban fronton in recent years and arrive with high morale after their performances in recent domestic tournaments.
The delegation is completed by Jorge Núñez, who will compete in the C category (over 55 years old), demonstrating that experience also has its place in this sport.
All will be under the technical direction of the multi-award-winning coach Alejandro Placer.
The Cuban pelota players will face the tournament, scheduled to take place at the courts of the Spanish Benevolent Society in Panama City, with the advantage of having performed very well in previous editions of this competition.
The women’s duo of Darriba and Durán won the gold medal in the seventh edition of the event. In the men’s division, González has won several awards.
Another significant fact is that the players—Darriba, Durán, González, Martínez, and Justiz—have already secured their spots in the World Championship, scheduled for October in the Argentine city of Venado Tuerto.
Thus, the Panamanian open tournament becomes a mandatory stop not only in the pursuit of medals but also as preparation for the important world championship.
The Panama Open 8 International 20-meter Frontenis Tournament will also feature teams from the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Spain, Colombia, Argentina, and the host country.
