I’ve been busy with the holidays and what not so haven’t had time to tweet about this yet, but last week the Cuban national selection tournament took place in Havana. Here’s a thread looking at the results and potential implications for the Cuban team heading into Tokyo 2021.

2017 world champion Yosvany Veitía (52kg) made an impressive comeback at flyweight to put himself in the driving seat for a spot at Tokyo 2021. Veitía had previously been suspended by the Cuban boxing federation due his struggles making weight, but notched a fine win here -

- over Damián Arce (who was #7 in the international flyweight rankings). Hopefully we’ll see a return to form for him ahead of the Olympics.

Three-time world champion Lázaro Álvarez (57kg) was the favourite heading into the tournament, and delivered with a classy UD over-

- rival Osvel Caballero (currently ranked #5 in the international featherweight rankings). Álvarez looks like a lock-in for the Tokyo squad.

Andy Cruz also cemented his Olympic spot, and capped off a dominant run in the tournament with a win over Jorge Moirán.

At 69kg, 2012 Olympic gold medallist Roniel Iglesias narrowly edged the excellent Kevin Hayler Brown in the final via 2:1 split decision in a fight whic could have gone either way. Barring anything unexpected, it looks like Iglesias will be representing in Tokyo.

Which is a shame really, because I’d have loved to have seen Brown get his chance at a major tournament. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.

Middleweight was wide open this year, following the departure of 2016 Olympic champion Arlen López to 81kg. Camagüey’s Yoenlis Hernández took advantage and staked his claim as the man at 75kg, winning a decision over rival Yohander Martinez. We could see a bit of a shift around -

- this weight before Tokyo, as even though Hernández won here he hasn’t distanced himself from the pack.

On his debut at light-heavyweight, Arlen López returned to form with two victories inside the distance and looks set to challenge for in a second weight-class in Tokyo.

With López having moved to 81kg, dominant light-heavyweight kingpin Julio César La Cruz also headed north to heavyweight in order to accommodate his compatriot. It’s a shame that we won’t see a potential rematch between Nurdauletov and La Cruz, which I was very much looking -

- forward to, but it’ll be interesting to see La Cruz at 90kg. He seems to be settling in to the new weight just fine, as La Cruz eased to victory in this tournament.

Super-heavyweight (91kg+) was the most interesting out of the divisions, with a few notable upsets. 2017-

- heavyweight world champion Erislandy Savón has picked up a bit of a reputation for poor discipline and laziness, and it looks like the extended layoff due to COVID hasn’t done him any favours as he slumped to a UD defeat against Carlos Castillo. As a result, Savón is set to-

- miss out on Tokyo.

After Savón crashed out early on, Dainier Peró (ranked #5 in the international super-heavyweight rankings) seized his chance to book a plane ticket to Tokyo with a 3-0 victory over Carlos Castillo in the final. The 21 year-old Peró is one to watch-

- and looks like a very promising young talent.