For the most successful sport of this century in the territory, field hockey, and for the athlete of greatest merit, the fighter Yudaris Sánchez, were the top honors in the selection of the most outstanding of 2018 in Ciego de Ávila.
Hockey deserved to be the best sport of the year and, at the same time, its top-notch team, with the well-earned name of Avilanian Volcano, was the most notable result in the period, while its ace, Heriberto Sarduy, and Yurismaily García, the most outstanding athletes in the collective disciplines were selected; same distinction as the father of the first, Eliberto Sarduy, who reached him in the category of technical director.
Yudaris, the brand-new world wrestling champion in the U23 category, deserved all the votes from the circle of sports journalists to be named the best among women in individual disciplines, and protagonist of the Event of the Year, as he also started in the Central American Games in Colombia. Another fighter, Ariel Fiss, accompanied her in that same section, for her gold medal in the area event.
Gladiator Lilianet Duane, also a monarch in Barranquilla, was chosen as the Rookie of the Year.
In the list of the 10 most outstanding of the year, Alberto Hernández (softball), Magnol Suárez (handball), Luis Ernesto Quesada (chess), Jorge Víctor Martínez (judo), Mailín Sánchez (cycling), Raúl González (baseball) appear. Maikel Tritzán (hockey), Carlos Manuel Consuegra (hockey), Juan Carlos Rodríguez (softball) and Yuri Rodríguez (softball).
There were also mentions for the Central American softball monarchs Alaín Román, Roberto Echarte, Yurisander Ramos, Reinier Vera and Alexey Tejeda; baseball pitcher Vladimir Garcia and hockey goalie Yendry Delgado.
Other distinctions were that of the beach volt duet that formed Karel Peña and Alex Ruiz, and, of that same sport, coach Mayra Ferrer; Meanwhile, in the section of youth athletes, the glories were for the volleyball players Yensy de la Caridad Kindelán and Miguel Ángel Ayón. The dozens of bisoños with better results include Kendra I. Somonte (march); Carlos Y. Charles (room volleyball); Brayan Pérez (athletics); Pedro Bombino (basketball); Erika Santana (beach volleyball); Andri Jiménez and Roicer Artiles (both sailing); and fighters Liordis Reyes, Yeisser Sampson and Darien Feria.
The activist Joaquín Pulgarón was also recognized; the Physical Education teacher Argenis del Toro Legrá; wrestling referee Yunior Sosa; the disabled athlete Yoandri González; and the special sports Yalexander Alarcón.