Cuban table tennis champion Carlos Gabriel Díaz Leyva left the island in recent days en route to Nicaragua to begin the migration journey to the southern border of the United States in his wheelchair, Mexican newspaper Excelsior confirmed.
According to the report, Carlos Gabriel, a Cuban migrant “of varying abilities” who emigrated via Nicaragua with several friends and family members and aboard his wheelchair, is waiting in the Mexican city of Tapachula for permission to travel legally to the United States.
The young athlete, originally from Mayabeque, wants the National Migration Institute (INM) to grant him the Multiple Immigration Format to be able to travel freely through Mexican territory and seek asylum at the border of the northern country. For now, they hope that a bus will be provided to take them to Tuxtla Gutiérrez.
Carlos Gabriel is an athlete with a disability who trained in various disciplines from the age of 13 and then graduated in physical culture on the island. His talent and dedication have earned him national titles in two disciplines: table tennis and swimming. The young man said that he left his medals to his parents in San José de las Lajas before emigrating to the United States. He also said that he would try to take part in competitions for people with disabilities in the United States.
In 2016, Carlos Gabriel was described in a report in the official press as “a young man with big dreams” after winning the national title at the table tennis tournament in San Nicolás that same year.
Felipe Rojas, the president of the Association of Limited Physical Motors (ACLIFIM) of Mayabeque, pointed out at the time that Díaz Leyva had “an outstanding sports career full of triumphs and recognitions” that made him “an undisputed talent of San José de Las Lajas and the province.”
“Even as a child, he decided to improve himself as a person and not let his condition limit him. He had the unconditional support of his mother, who always motivated him to participate in every competition and represent his community,” Rojas added.
Her coach in Cuba, Kirenia Díaz, emphasized in 2021 that it was “a pride” for her to be the coach of this “great athlete”.