Cristian Pinales and Yunior Alcántara expressed their surprise and gratitude for the warm and loving welcome they received upon arriving in the country.
Cristian and Yunior, bronze medalists in the Paris 2024 Olympics, landed last night after their outstanding performance in the boxing tournament where the world’s most renowned athletes competed.
These local boxers shared their return with Marileidy Paulino, who won the Olympic gold medal and also broke a record in the games.
“Hundreds were waiting for us to congratulate us; the enthusiasm was so great that upon our arrival at the airport, we could hardly move forward between hugs and congratulations for our performance”, the boxers shared in different events.
They deserved gold
Although Pinales and Alcántara were fighting for gold, it was their opponents who ultimately won the victory according to the judges’ decision, despite many boxing experts, coaches, and specialists believing that the Dominicans deserved to win.
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“The fights were very close, but it was clear that Pinales and Alcántara should have won. However, it often happens that when Latin Americans compete, the judges, usually Europeans, make an inexplicable decision”, commented a prominent boxing analyst on Spanish television.
The Vice President Raquel Peña, the Deputy Minister Franklin de la Mota of the Ministry of Sports, and other authorities received the Olympic medalists. They arrived accompanied by Garibaldy Bautista, President of the COD; Miguel Camacho, head of mission of the Dominican delegation in Paris; as well as Rubén García, President of the Boxing Federation, and Gerardo Suero Correa, President of the Athletics Federation.
Image credits: Elnacional.com.do
