After 12 years, the Cuban woman will return to the Olympic taekwondo mat. It was in London the last time a girl from the Greater Antilles competed. There, Glenhis Hernández fell in the bronze medal discussion.
Arlettys Acosta, weighing more than 67 kilograms, is the protagonist of this return, winning the pre-Olympic tournament in the Dominican Republic last April.
The woman from Villa Clara has known how to make her way; She is a double medalist in the Pan American Games (Lima-2019 and Santiago-2023), and at 24 years old, this qualification for the summer event represents, for now, the peak of her sporting career.
–Was the Olympic qualification a surprise? What does it represent for you?
–It is a great joy. They are my first Olympic Games. It was surprising for me, because it came in a division I had never competed in.
–Why the change of division? Do you feel comfortable in it?
–My coaches saw more possibilities of qualifying at this weight. I don’t feel very comfortable, because I’ve barely competed in it, but I go out and give it a go, all without fear.
«I prepared in Havana, with my teammates, and with the men’s team, which helped us a lot. “We had several meetings with the boys from the eide of Camagüey and Holguín, who supported us.”
–Are you going to Paris with any goal in mind?
–The reality is that there is no medal prediction, but I always go with the mentality of winning. Yes, I am looking for a result, that is what I have trained for. I will also enjoy the competition, and have a wonderful experience.
–At 24 years old, a double Pan American medalist and already qualified for the Olympic Games, what more do you want?
–What every athlete dreams and wants: to be on an Olympic podium. I want to continue making my little history in this sport.
