Raidel Acea
Encyclopedia
Raidel Acea Morales (born 21 October 1990) is a Cuba
n 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
.
Born and raised in the Cuban city of Cienfuegos
, Acea began taking part in athletics at the age of ten and started out as a 400 m runner. As he grew older, he began running in the 800 m as well upon the advice of the coaches at his local high performance sports centre. His first successes came at the age of eighteen in the 2009 season. After placing third at the Rafael Fortún Memorial he claimed the 800 m silver medal
at the 2009 ALBA Games. He ran an 800 m best of 1:46.68 minutes for third at the Barrientos Memorial in May then ran a 400 m personal best of 46.19 seconds the following month. His season ended on a high as he won the 800 m title for Cuba at the 2009 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships
.
In 2010, he faltered in his first year as a senior athlete. He managed third over 800 m at both the Barrientos meet and the Olimpiada del Deporte Cubano, but did not improve in his performances. Acea judged that he needed the season to adjust to the higher senior level. He made his senior breakthrough the very next season, starting with an 800 m win at the Copa Cuba national championships, where he was also second over 400 m. A duel between Acea and his more senior rival Andy González
proved to be a highlight of the Barrientos Memorial, and it was the younger Cuban who won and set a personal best of 1:45.62 minutes. He won medals at the 2011 ALBA Games
, claiming the 800 m title and taking a silver medal with Cuba's 4×400 metres relay team. He was chosen to represent Cuba at the 2011 Pan American Games
and while his older compatriot González won the 800 m title, Acea earned the bronze medal
with his sprint finish. He reached the podium for a second time at the event as part of Cuba's 4×400 m relay squad: Noel Ruíz, Acea, Omar Cisneros
and William Collazo
dipped under three minutes to win the relay gold.
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 track and field
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
athlete who competes in the 400 metres
400 metres
The 400 metres, or 400 metre dash, is a common sprinting event in track and field competitions. It has been featured in the athletics programme at the Summer Olympics since 1896 . On a standard outdoor running track, it is exactly one lap around the track. Runners start in staggered positions and...
and 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...
events. The 2009 Pan American junior champion over 800 m, he won the bronze medal 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...
.
Born and raised in the Cuban city of Cienfuegos
Cienfuegos
Cienfuegos is a city on the southern coast of Cuba, capital of Cienfuegos Province. It is located about from Havana, and has a population of 150,000. The city is dubbed La Perla del Sur...
, Acea began taking part in athletics at the age of ten and started out as a 400 m runner. As he grew older, he began running in the 800 m as well upon the advice of the coaches at his local high performance sports centre. His first successes came at the age of eighteen in the 2009 season. After placing third at the Rafael Fortún Memorial he claimed the 800 m silver medal
Silver medal
A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
at the 2009 ALBA Games. He ran an 800 m best of 1:46.68 minutes for third at the Barrientos Memorial in May then ran a 400 m personal best of 46.19 seconds the following month. His season ended on a high as he won the 800 m title for Cuba at the 2009 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships
2009 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships
The 2009 Pan American Junior Championships were held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on July 31 to August 2, 2009.-Men:-Women:-External links:*...
.
In 2010, he faltered in his first year as a senior athlete. He managed third over 800 m at both the Barrientos meet and the Olimpiada del Deporte Cubano, but did not improve in his performances. Acea judged that he needed the season to adjust to the higher senior level. He made his senior breakthrough the very next season, starting with an 800 m win at the Copa Cuba national championships, where he was also second over 400 m. A duel between Acea and his more senior rival Andy González
Andy González (athlete)
Andy González Núñez is a Cuban middle-distance runner who competes in the 800 metres. He was the gold medalist in the event at the 2011 Pan American Games. He represented his country at the 2008 Summer Olympics....
proved to be a highlight of the Barrientos Memorial, and it was the younger Cuban who won and set a personal best of 1:45.62 minutes. He won medals at the 2011 ALBA Games
2011 ALBA Games
The IV ALBA Games is a multi-sport event to be held between 17–30 July 2010 in ten different states of Venezuela. The games are organized by the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas .-Participating nations:...
, claiming the 800 m title and taking a silver medal with Cuba's 4×400 metres relay team. He was chosen to represent Cuba 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...
and while his older compatriot González won the 800 m title, Acea earned the bronze medal
Bronze medal
A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. The practice of awarding bronze third place medals began at the 1904 Olympic Games in St...
with his sprint finish. He reached the podium for a second time at the event as part of Cuba's 4×400 m relay squad: Noel Ruíz, Acea, Omar Cisneros
Omar Cisneros
Omar Cisneros Bonora is a Cuban track and field athlete who competes in the 400 metres hurdles. He is the Cuban national record holder for the event with his personal best of 47.99 seconds...
and William Collazo
William Collazo
William Collazo is a Cuban sprinter who specializes in the 400 metres.He won a bronze medal in the 4 x 400 metres relay at the 2005 Central American and Caribbean Championships...
dipped under three minutes to win the relay gold.