U. del Azuay is the second largest sports power in the country

U. del Azuay is the second largest sports power in the country

Intense and unforgettable emotions were what lived the members of the University of Azuay (UDA) after distinguishing itself as the second sporting power of the country during the National Interuniversity Games that took place in the facilities of the Polytechnic School of the Litoral (ESPOL) , in Guayaquil.

The hosts were the absolute champions. The UDA was vice general champion among 28 participating universities. In basketball he reached the finals in both genders. In ladies he reached the title after defeating the Central University of Ecuador; in males, it remained with the subtitle when succumbing against the Catholic University of Santiago de Guayaquil.

In indoor volleyball, the women's team was proclaimed champion by winning in the final by 3-1 at the University of Cuenca. Daniel Sichel, president of the Sports Association of the UDA (ADEUDA), highlighted this event considering the potential that provinces such as Guayas, Pichincha and Manabí have in the discipline. In men, UDA was eliminated in the group stage.

In field tennis, the representative of Azuayo won the silver medal in singles with Diego Mogrovejo. In doubles he won the gold medal with the pair Mogrovejo-Pablo Merchán and the bronze with Sven Muñoz-Juan David Sánchez. With these results UDA signed the team title in the male branch.

In taekwondo he got the vice-championship with four athletes. Escorted to the Central University that presented complete equipment. Juliana Riveros, Lisseth Pacheco and Andrés Guzmán won gold medals while Juan Diego López contributed with a silver medal.

In swimming he added a general subtitle. Miguel Armijos, Luis Zúñiga, Mauricio Oramas, Santiago Muñoz, Fausto Muñoz and Hardy Rodríguez won the first place in men; Ana Torres, Kelly Toral and Jennifer Mora, second place in ladies.

In football "we left a little hurt. In men there were two controversial arbitrations of the three first round that prevented us from passing; in ladies, we also stay in the group stage, however, the projects are quite good, "says Sichel. (BST) - (D)

The rector of the UDA, Francisco Rosales, received the trophy from the president of the ADEUDA, Daniel Sichel (D). Courtesy

THE PHRASE

"We always wanted to change the idea that universities were the cemetery of athletes ... Beyond a scholarship or medal, everyone fought every game, enjoyed every moment and that is the satisfaction I have. Grateful also with the authorities (of the UDA), everything we asked for gave us gladly ".

Daniel Sichel

2019 PROJECTION

The organizers of the National Inter-University Games will seek for the coming editions that the champions, in the different disciplines, compete in the South American and Pan-American University.

The ADEUDA plans the participation of the UDA in the national professional leagues of women's basketball and indoor volleyball as well as the promotion of women's football. At the moment it does with the male basketball team.