CAMAGÜEY.- It is unlikely that someone has “the clear saint” in these pandemic days. However, the case of the Olympic champion Julio César La Cruz seems the exception. "One of my coaches told me that, but the world's misfortune cannot be luck for me," considers the boxer from Camagüey, who was not completely affected by the suspension of the international sports calendar.
“Before the Olympic qualifying in the Americas I had some welts. At the last training I went with my body almost covered by chickenpox. I would take the trip at the risk that the competing doctors would not let me participate, ”he says, pointing to the spots that the disease left on his face.
The postponement of the Olympic Games also suits the four-time world champion, since he has spent less time training in a new category. “I did three years of the cycle in 81 kilograms and after the World Cup my promotion to 91 kg was approved. I had practically no time to burn out in the international arena. It is not an unknown division because I have seen all the fighters and for years I sparred with many of them in preparation bases, but the ideal was to have several previous events ”, he told Adelante Digital.
Who does not see it two months ago perceives the physical change of "The Shadow", beyond a novel and unique mane. He confesses that “gaining weight has also changed me. I can feed myself more freely and transform that energy into force. The objective of the technical group is to multiply my muscle mass and gain power in the punch, and for that we work hard.
Some worry that I will lose mobility, but don't worry, I stay as light as ever. So far the transformations are positive and I am still undefeated among the heavyweight. During the European tour I faced and defeated proven rivals like Olympic runner-up Vasili Levit of Kazakhstan. ”
La Cruz continues to prepare at home under a plan designed by the technical team of the Domadores de Cuba, which the Camagüey mentor Robinsol Poll checks every day.
“After lowering the loads I have maintained rigor in training with races, gym exercises and technical routines. Thanks to the daily requirement of Poll, we will not have problems reaching the competitive form in the short term when everything returns to normal. And I have worked a lot with my psychologist to set new goals for me. The defeat in the World Cup in Yekaterinburg made me react, my ego brought me very confident, as it happened to me in London ”.
The next date under the five rings knows a test. His status as captain of the Cuban sports flagship forces him to take responsibility for what his colleagues do. "We were in a great moment, we were going to destroy. Nothing happens, soon humanity will overcome this difficult moment and we will fight for our dream again. As a delegation we carry a debt because we have fallen short of the results of the previous cycle in the Central Americans and the Pan-Americans, but I am sure that in Tokyo we will be better than in Rio and the boxing medals will help in that ”.
Before, Julius Caesar's plans had limits in the Japanese capital. Now they go further: “Good projects are being prepared for the development of Cuban boxing that have encouraged me, but what took the idea of the retreat out of my mind is the illusion of being the standard-bearer for multidisciplinary events in Cuba after the departure of Mijaín López. I am a winner, I will not risk my story on a whim. I feel like 11 years ago, when I started in the national team tournaments with Camagüey. I am only 30 years old and I am one of the boxers who receives the least blows on the planet. If I maintain the desire and the health I can fight another five years or more ”.
Translated by Linet Acuña Quilez