Cuban judoka María Celia Laborde for her Olympic dream for the United States.

The Paris Olympic Games are approaching, and predictions are multiplying, as well as the interest of the Cuban fans in their athletes who will compete in the grand summer event, either under the flag of the Greater Antilles or for other countries where they have sought a better future.

Today we talked with little María Celia Laborde, who will represent the United States in the 48-kilogram category of the judo tournament.

You made the decision to stay in Mexico in 2014 when you were the top figure on the team heading to the Rio 2012 Olympics, what made you decide?

Indeed, I left the Cuban delegation in Veracruz, Mexico in 2014. It was truly a sad moment, but I made the decision looking for a better future.

I was practically qualified for the 2016 Olympic Games; I held the third position in the world ranking. I made the decision to stay when I was competing in the Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz.

I left after winning my gold medal at that event, I did not leave my teammates "stranded." I took a plane to Reinosa airport and from there, a bus to the border, where I requested political asylum.

As I was saying, even though I had practically secured a spot in Rio 2016, I knew that if I stayed, I would never be able to have the freedom and all the things that one dreams of as an athlete and as a human being.

Where do you train, who is your coach, how do you feel about Paris?

My coach is Peruvian-American Johnny Prado; I train at the National Kitsusai Center in Coral Springs, Florida. The possibilities for the American team in Paris are very high; we have highly skilled classified athletes, who have received very good training. I have worked hard with Paris in mind; I hope to live up to that preparation.

The beginnings of Maria Celia Laborde in her native Guantánamo?

In Guaso, I started practicing judo at the age of 11. My first formal coach was Yonaisa Pérez León. Later on, I studied at the EIDE under the guidance of Yonaisa herself and coach Guillermo Fernández. At ESPA, I was a student of Roberto Álvarez, Jorge, and Leonardo.

How did you achieve high performance, and how many years were you on the national team?

Seven years. I arrived at Cerro Pelado after winning the bronze medal at the National Youth Games, and having conquered national events in different categories and one international. I was recruited by coach Javier Rodríguez, with the prior approval of Ronaldo Veitia, head coach. I was there for seven years (2009-2014).

You must treasure anecdotes from that time.

Yes, indeed, many; for example, a very nice one comes from the 2013 World Championship in Rio, Brazil; in the team event, we were drawn against some very strong opponents. At first, we were disheartened and nervous, but as the competition progressed, we gained confidence, united, and did not stop until we reached the bronze medal match against South Korea, whom we defeated four matches to two.

I remember that day we were jumping with joy and hugging each other; we had never celebrated a victory like that day. In addition, we had the support of the Brazilian crowd that was shouting "Cuba, Cuba." I will never forget that moment, there we demonstrated that strength lies in unity and that limitations are often in our minds.

María Celia Laborde won bronze medals at the World Championship in Chelyabinsk, Russia in 2014, and due to her competitor's doping in Rio 2013. She placed third in the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, and has climbed the podium in three Pan American Sport Championships with one gold and two bronzes.

What are your main rivals in the world?

There are several: the Japanese Tsunoda Natsumi and the French Boukli Shirine are great, but for Paris, the strongest opponents will be the Italian Scutto Assunta, the current world runner-up and top of the world rankings, the Mongolian Bavuudorj Baasankhuu, the current world champion and number 2 in the rankings, and the Kazakhstani Abuzhakyniova Abiba, number 3 in the rankings.

I heard that you have incorporated other techniques into the Tosde Tsuri Goshi, which ones?

Yes, we have to diversify; I added the Kata Guruma, the Ouchi Gari, and the Ippon Seo Nage, on both sides. As you can see, I have expanded my combat techniques.

You have been in the United States for 10 years and you are qualified for Paris... things have gone well for you in the northern land!

I have been living in the United States for nine years; I will turn ten on November 28th. I have been competing for this country since 2022 with a very good record: from that year to the present date, I have won Pan American medals in both sports championships and Multi-Sport Games, Grand Prix tournaments, multiple gold medals in continental opens, and my most important achievement, the silver medal in the Master World Championship.

What does it represent to be the first American medalist at a Master World Championship since 2016?

For me, it was an immense joy to be able to give that great triumph to the nation that has welcomed me with open arms. Bear in mind that since 2016, the United States had not won a medal in an event of such magnitude, the Master World Championship, in which the top 20 judokas on the planet compete.

In this case, we are talking about the Master World Cup staged in Budapest, Hungary, in August 2023. There, I fell in the final against the Japanese Koga Wakana after defeating the Serbian Nikolic Milica in the semi-finals, ranked sixth.

I understand that you were disadvantaged by Veitia on several occasions. What was happening, how did you get along with the Buda?

Everyone really knew that Dayaris Mestre was Veitia's favorite, but fortunately, my hard work, my sacrifice, my perseverance, my discipline led me to be considered by him, who handed me the baton as the leading figure in the 48 kg division.

Professor Veitia drove me hard, as he did with everyone else, but, really... that's what made me stronger and the athlete I am today!

I believe that for the first time, after Veitía leading women's judo, the men will attend an Olympic Games with better prospects than the women. How do you see Cuban judo in Paris? In general, do you think Cuba could rank among the top twenty countries?

I think that in present-day Cuban judo, all those who qualified for the Olympics have the possibility of winning a medal: they just need to focus, internalize it, and train hard.

Regarding their position on the table, Cuba has always been a power, although the level has decreased a bit due to the scarce resources that athletes have for their daily preparation. Nevertheless, I have never seen any Cuban athlete give up; on the contrary, they always fight with what they have. I believe they do have the possibility of placing among the top 20 countries.

Do you live alone or do you have family in the United States?

I brought my sister and my cousin to live with me; I used to be alone here, but fortunately I am now accompanied. In Cuba, my dad and my grandma are still there, who I will fortunately visit after Paris, after nine years of being separated.

Wishes to Cuban athletes in Paris?

To all Cubans, without exception, I wish you good luck; a Cuban is a Cuban. I may compete under another flag, but I still remain Cuban. Best of luck to everyone. See you in Paris!