Havana, Sep 1 (JIT).- Two-time world champion and Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medalist, Rafael Alba Castillo, is in France to compete in Series II of the 2022 Paris Taekwondo Grand Prix, which will take place from September 2 to September 4.

The Cuban, the only American medalist in the Japanese event, commands the continental septet of the +80 kg division, a list which includes the leader of the world ranking in -87 kg, Ícaro Martins, and his Brazilian teammate, Maicon . Siqueira.

Also present are the continental champion Jonathan Healy (USA), the Canadian Marc André Bergeron and the international and regional multi-medalists, the Mexicans Carlos Sansores and Bryan Salazar.

The Santiago giant’s goal is to add units to the International Taekwondo Federation (WT) rankings ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Alba traveled with her coach René García and doctor Eduardo Negrete.

Competitors from Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic were among the top 32 in the Olympic rankings in the various men’s and women’s divisions in the month August, eligibility criteria for this world-class event of high technical level.

The event, which will be held for the first time in the French capital, brings together Olympic and world champions and new stars.

A total of 256 athletes will take part in the fair with a place at the Palais des Sports Marcel-Cerdan in Levalloisen, where the division winner will get 60 points.

This is the second of the four grand prizes of the year. Members of the WT Refugee Team will also be in action.