4 Cuban Fencers enter Hall of Fame

The Cuban Ramon Fonts, Rolando Tucker, Eduardo Jons and Rafaela Gonzalez had been selected into the Hall of Fame of the International Fencing Federation (IFF) as a part of the celebrations for the centenary of that organization, the official National Information Agency (AIN) announced here Wednesday. The four Cuban fencers were included in the list of 100 fencing personalities to be exalted to the Hall on November 29, marking the IFF first century of foundation. Fonst (1883-1959), was the first Cuban to win Olympic gold medals, including four individuals in foil, and two team gold medals at the 1900 Paris Games and 1904 St. Louis edition. Besides being considered as one of the best swordsmen in the world history, Fonst was also an acknowledged pistol and rifle shooter, as well as a savate expert. Tucker became world champion at the Athens World Championships in 1994 before he won a bronze at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. He was also the first non-European fencer to lead the world ranking from 1995 to 1997. Jons served 29 years as the coach of the men's and women foil national teams for Cuba as he led Cuba to obtain an Olympic silver medal and two bronze. Under his orders Cuban fencers obtained more medals at World University Championships (three gold, four silver and four bronze), the Universiades (6-2-3) and the Pan American Games (3-05-10). Gonzalez performed an important role as the President of the Cuban Federation and executive member of the IFF committee, and its representative for Latin America and the Caribbean. Cuban fencing did not obtain a ticket for the last two Olympics at Beijing of 2008 and at London of 2012, resulting from desertions and low resources due to the economic crisis, but the discipline authorities claim to be seriously training to be present in the next appointment in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. From XINHUA