Disappointment for Colombia in gymnastics world championships
Neither favourite Jossimar Calvo nor any other Colombian competitor made it to the final of the World Gymnastics Championships in Glasgow in the last week of October. The winner of World Cup titles in parallel bars, high bar and rings arrived at the highest rated tournament of the year with high expectations but couldn’t show his best. The Cúcuta born gymnast finished 57th overall and, especially in his preferred discipline of the high bar, did not perform as expected.
It was a huge disappointment for the Colombian team, who also missed the opportunity to clinch qualification for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next year. Trainer Jairo Ruiz didn’t have an explanation at the ready, saying that Jossimar “has never performed this badly in a tournament”, while acknowledging it could happen to any gymnast or athlete. “Now this experience serves as a harsh learning moment for the next tournament, where we can still qualify for Rio,” concluded the trainer. The qualification tournament to determine the final group of athletes granted access to the Olympics will be held at the beginning of 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.
Cali in track cycling spotlight
The world’s top track cyclists landed in Cali for the first stop in the World Cup cycle of track cycling. With title candidate Fabián Puerta looking to pick up another title in the keirin, the expectations were high for the Colombian delegation but the results did not go as hoped.
Colombia finished eleventh in the final ranking, far behind the superior German team. Puerta, the world number one in the keirin event, came off his line and got disqualified in the quarter-final. Team Colombia-Coldeportes sprinter Edwin Ávila, who was in his last week of riding for the recently disbanded Colombian team, got the only medal for the Colombian squad, picking up bronze in the points race.
Pérez to defend world boxing title in Manchester
Colombian lightweight boxing world champion, Darleys Pérez will have a second go at UK-born Anthony Crolla on November 21 in Manchester. The reigning world champion from San Pedro de Urabá, Antioquía and his British challenger disputed a title battle on July 18 of this year in which no winner was called. Both boxers won a round and the third was even, meaning the fight remained undecided.
Crolla’s entourage did not agree with the decision, claiming the 28 year old Brit should have been given the win, and they immediately called for a rematch. The World Boxing Association went along with the request and the two WBA fighters will meet again in the Manchester Arena on November 21. The 32-year-old Colombian is intending to add a 33rd victory to his achievements, with only one defeat and the draw in July to his name. Meanwhile, the Brit will aim for his 30th win, with four defeats and three draws on his record.
