Weightlifting

Cuban weightlifter Javier Vanegas won the 94-kilogram division with 2 gold and 1 silver medals at the Pan-American Championship that concluded in the capital of Dominican republic on Sunday with the participation of 247 athletes from 23 countries.

The first medal came in the snatch competition, in which he lifted 170 kilos while in the 2nd exercise, Vanegas lifted 205 kilos to finish in 2nd place with a total of 375 kilograms, after Colombia's William Torres; however, the Cuban finished first in the event, followed by Torres and American D'Angelo Osorio.

After this result, Colombia and Cuba tied in 1st place, since Colombia won the 56, 62 and 69-kilogram divisions and Cuba won in the 77, 85 and 94-kilogram divisions.

Badminton

Cuban badminton player Osleni Guerrero, ranking leader of America, will compete in the World Championships in Copenhagen from next August 25th to 31st.

Guerrero, 57 in the world rankings, aims to take revenge on the setback in the 1st round of the preceding universal competition in Guangzhou, China, last year, where he was defeated by Spanish Pablo Abián in 2 runs for 14-21 and 21-23.

The Cuban climbed to a place among the top 50 of the world in November, after a great Season in 2013, when he won 9 titles, over 40 victories and only suffered 5 setbacks, including the one in the Asian competition.

However, in this Season he lost unexpectedly the singles final at the Giraldilla Tournament in Havana, an event won by American Bjorn Seguin, but the Cuban later retained the title in the International of Peru.

According to his coach Roberto Moyinedo, Guerrero's main objective is Veracruz 2014, from November 14th to 30th.

Buried Eugenio George, Architect of Cuban Volleyball

Eugenio George Laffita, chief architect of the Cuban volleyball, was buried on Sunday in the Necropolis of Cristobal Colon Cemetery in Havana, after passing away on Saturday night, a victim of cancer, at 81 years old, says the digital edition of the local Granma newspaper.

With moving words, Mireya Luis, former captain of the famous Las Morenas del Caribe team, delivered the farewell in the family vault of the successful coach, who was chosen as the Best Volleyball Coach of the World, as well as receiving numerous titles and honors as a special driving mind of the Cuban volleyball school to which he devoted all his passion, professionalism and love.

Along with family, friends, former players of several generations of the national team, current youth shortlist, coaches from various disciplines, and the top leaders of the Cuban Olympic Committee and the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER), also attended the ceremony to pay tribute to such a stellar patriot.

Brazilian President to Receive FIFA Chief Blatter

Brazilian President, Dilma Rousseff, will receive today Monday at the Planalto Palace, FIFA's president Joseph S. Blatter, to finalize details of the World Cup, set to start in 12 days.

According to the Secretariat for Social Communication of the Office of the Presidency, Blatter will arrive at the same time as the trophy of the championship, which has already been in this nation since last April and has toured almost every city venue of the competition.

Made of solid gold and semiprecious stones, this award 36.8 cm high and weighing 6kg, can be only touched by world champions and heads of State.

The trophy, which was presented this week in Brasilia and shown to the public in one of the halls of the Mane Garrincha Stadium, will be exhibited in the main hall of the Planalto Palace, seat of the Presidency of the Republic.

Rousseff and Blatter are expected to talk about the final preparations in several Brazilian cities for this Cup, scheduled to start on June 12th at the Arena Corinthians Stadium, of São Paulo, with the match between Brazil and Croatia.