Andy González (athlete)
Encyclopedia
Andy González Núñez (born 17 October 1987) is a Cuba
n middle-distance runner who competes in the 800 metres
. He was the gold medal
ist in the event at the 2011 Pan American Games
. He represented his country at the 2008 Summer Olympics
.
González emerged as an international level runner in 2006. That year he ran 1:47.5 minutes for the 800 m and a national junior record of 3:42.6 minutes for the 1500 metres
. He was chosen to represent Cuba at the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games
and he surprised by winning the 800 m gold medal, defeating Sherridan Kirk
and running a time of 1:46.26 minutes (the fastest ever by a Central American and Caribbean junior). He was one of the highest ranked runners to enter the 800 m at the 2006 World Junior Championships in Athletics
, but he was off-form in the final and finished eighth in a time of 1:53.61 minutes.
The following year he competed at the 2007 Pan American Games
and came fifth in the 800 m final – an event which was won by his more experienced compatriot Yeimer López
. At the start of 2008 he ran a personal best of 1:45.3 minutes for the 800 m in Havana. He then set a championship record to win the event at the 2008 Ibero-American Championships in Athletics and achieved the same feat at the 2008 Central American and Caribbean Championships
. González received his first call-up to the Cuban Olympic team and was narrowly eliminated in the first round of the 800 m – he was the fastest runner not to qualify.
In 2009, he came runner-up to Yeimer López at the national Barrientos Memorial meet in Havana. The city hosted the 2009 CAC Championships
in July and an attempt to defend his 800 m title resulted in duel between him and López, but González again finished behind his fellow Cuban. He improved his 1500 m running in 2010, taking the title at the Barrientos Memorial and finishing the year with a new personal best of 3:40.94 minutes. He also achieved a season's best of 1:45.40 minutes for the 800 m that year.
González returned to international competition in 2011 and had a highly successful year. He ran his season's best of 1:45.67 minutes at the Barrientos Memorial, although he was narrowly pipped to the title by the emerging Raidel Acea
. The 2011 Central American and Caribbean Championships in Athletics
saw him return to the top of the podium as he beat Haiti's Moise Joseph
to win his second 800 m title at the competition. At the 2011 Pan American Games
in October, he outran Brazil's Kleberson Davide
in the final straight to claim his first major 800 m title.
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n middle-distance runner who competes in the 800 metres
800 metres
The 800 meter race is a common track running event. It is the shortest common middle distance track event. The 800 meter is run over two laps of the track and has always been an Olympic event. During indoor track season the event is usually run on a 200 meter track, therefore requiring four laps...
. He was the gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
ist in the event at the 2011 Pan American Games
2011 Pan American Games
The 2011 Pan American Games, officially the XVI Pan American Games, was an international multi-sport event that was held from October 14–30, 2011 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Some events were held in the nearby cities of Ciudad Guzmán, Puerto Vallarta, Lagos de Moreno and Tapalpa...
. He represented his country at the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
.
González emerged as an international level runner in 2006. That year he ran 1:47.5 minutes for the 800 m and a national junior record of 3:42.6 minutes for the 1500 metres
1500 metres
The 1,500-metre run is the premier middle distance track event.Aerobic endurance is the biggest factor contributing to success in the 1500 metres but the athlete also requires significant sprint speed.In modern times, the 1,500-metre run has been run at a pace faster than the average person could...
. He was chosen to represent Cuba at the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games
Athletics at the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games
The athletics competition at the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games took place at the Estadio Pedro de Heredia in Cartagena, Colombia and lasted from July 25 to July 29. There were 23 events for men and 21 for women...
and he surprised by winning the 800 m gold medal, defeating Sherridan Kirk
Sherridan Kirk
Sherridan Kirk is an athlete from Trinidad and Tobago who specializes in the 800 metres and 4 x 400 metres relay. He attended the Kansas City Kansas Community College and Auburn University in the United States.-Achievements:...
and running a time of 1:46.26 minutes (the fastest ever by a Central American and Caribbean junior). He was one of the highest ranked runners to enter the 800 m at the 2006 World Junior Championships in Athletics
2006 World Junior Championships in Athletics
The 2006 World Junior Championships in Athletics is the 2006 version of the World Junior Championships in Athletics. It was held from 15 August to 20 August at the Chaoyang Sports Center in Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China....
, but he was off-form in the final and finished eighth in a time of 1:53.61 minutes.
The following year he competed at the 2007 Pan American Games
2007 Pan American Games
The 2007 Pan American Games, officially known as the XV Pan American Games, were a major continental multi-sport event that took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 13 to July 29, 2007. A total of 5,633 athletes from 42 National Olympic Committees competed in 332 events in 34 sports and in...
and came fifth in the 800 m final – an event which was won by his more experienced compatriot Yeimer López
Yeimer López
Yeimer López García is a middle distance runner from Cuba, who represented his native country at two consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 2004. He is best known for winning the gold medal in the men's 800 metres at the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil. López is the twin brother of female...
. At the start of 2008 he ran a personal best of 1:45.3 minutes for the 800 m in Havana. He then set a championship record to win the event at the 2008 Ibero-American Championships in Athletics and achieved the same feat at the 2008 Central American and Caribbean Championships
2008 Central American and Caribbean Championships
The 2008 Central American and Caribbean Championships were held at the Estadio Pedro Grajales in Cali, Colombia between 4–6 July 2008. A total of 44 events were contested, of which 22 by male and 22 by female athletes. During the three-day competition, six championship records were broken...
. González received his first call-up to the Cuban Olympic team and was narrowly eliminated in the first round of the 800 m – he was the fastest runner not to qualify.
In 2009, he came runner-up to Yeimer López at the national Barrientos Memorial meet in Havana. The city hosted the 2009 CAC Championships
2009 Central American and Caribbean Championships in Athletics
The 2009 Central American and Caribbean Championships was the twenty second edition of the tournament and was held between 3 and 7 July in Havana, Cuba.-Event summary:...
in July and an attempt to defend his 800 m title resulted in duel between him and López, but González again finished behind his fellow Cuban. He improved his 1500 m running in 2010, taking the title at the Barrientos Memorial and finishing the year with a new personal best of 3:40.94 minutes. He also achieved a season's best of 1:45.40 minutes for the 800 m that year.
González returned to international competition in 2011 and had a highly successful year. He ran his season's best of 1:45.67 minutes at the Barrientos Memorial, although he was narrowly pipped to the title by the emerging Raidel Acea
Raidel Acea
Raidel Acea Morales is a Cuban track and field athlete who competes in the 400 metres and 800 metres events. The 2009 Pan American junior champion over 800 m, he won the bronze medal in the event at the 2011 Pan American Games....
. The 2011 Central American and Caribbean Championships in Athletics
2011 Central American and Caribbean Championships in Athletics
The 2011 Central American and Caribbean Championships in Athletics were held in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. The event served as classifiers for the 2011 World Championships in Athletics and took place from July 15–17, 2011...
saw him return to the top of the podium as he beat Haiti's Moise Joseph
Moise Joseph
Moise Joseph is a Haitian middle-distance runner specializing in the 800 meters. He competed in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens placing sixth in his heat and getting eliminated.-Achievements:-Personal bests:Outoors...
to win his second 800 m title at the competition. At the 2011 Pan American Games
Athletics at the 2011 Pan American Games
Athletics competitions at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara was held from October 23 to October 30 at the newly built Telmex Athletics Stadium. The racewalking and marathon events were held on the temporary Guadalajara Circuit and Route and the Pan American Marathon circuit respectively...
in October, he outran Brazil's Kleberson Davide
Kléberson Davide
Kléberson Davide is a Brazilian track and field athlete who specialises in the 800 metres.Born in Conchal, São Paulo, Davide won his first major youth title in the 800 m at the 2002 South American Youth Championships. He reached the semi-finals of the 2004 World Junior Championships in...
in the final straight to claim his first major 800 m title.