1970 The golden winners of Cuba

The Cuban National team, gold medal winner at the 1970 Central American and Caribbean Games in Panama City (February 28th to March 13th, 1970), was a historic squad that marked the rise of Cuban Water Polo on the international stage. The team, coached by the legendary Hungarian Károly Laky (center, front row), was composed of: Roberto Rodriguez, Jesus Perez, Rolando Valdes, Osvaldo Garcia, Carlos Sanchez, Eugenio Almeneiro, Jorge Riso, Waldimiro Arcos, Miguel Angel Garcia, Guillermo Martinez, and Oscar Periche. Cuba finished 1st, ahead of Mexico (2nd) and Panama (3rd), in a dominant regional performance. Károly Laky, who led the national team from 1967 to 1978, laid the technical and tactical foundations of the sport in Cuba. He introduced modern training systems and helped shape a strong, cohesive national program. The 1970 victory was not just a gold medal, but a turning point for Cuban aquatic sports. Under Laky’s guidance, Cuba competed in three Olympic Games: Mexico 1968, Munich 1972, and Montreal 1976. His leadership positioned Cuba as a serious contender in international Water Polo. This generation of players paved the way for decades of National success and pride. Source: Courtesy of Armando Fernandez

1968, Mexico: The National Team of Cuba

The National team of Cuba coached by the legendary Hungarian Karoly Laky, 8^th in Mexico 1968 Olympic Games. From L-R: Rubén Junco Osvaldo García, Oscar Periche, Jesús Pérez, Miguel Angel García, Ibrahim Rodríguez (++), Karoly Laky (Head Coach). Squatting L-R: Rolando Valdés (Captain), Roberto Rodríguez, Guillermo Cañete,  Guillermo Martínez Ginoris, Waldimiro Arcos (++). Source: courtesy of Mr. Guillermo Martínez Ginoris. 

1981, Bucarest: Cuba winner of Univeristy Games

The National team of Cuba coached by Juan Almeneiro, winner at 1981 Univesrity Games held in Bucarest, Romania. Ranking: 1. Cuba, 2. USA, 3. Romania
Source: Il mondo del nuoto, 1982

1966: The team of Cuba, Central America Champion

The National team of Cuba, Central America Champion in 1966. Among the players the famous brothers Eugenio and Guillermo Martinez.

Source: private collection 

1981: The great Water Polo team of Cuba

The National team of Cuba, winner of bronze medal in the 2nd FINA cup of Long Beach, USA in 1981. In the same year Cuba won the gold of the 1st " Coppa Latina" held in Santiago Chile. The team coached by Juan Almeneiro: Oscar Periche, Orlando Cowley, Barbaro Diaz, Lazaro Costa, Pedro Rodriguez, Nelson Dominguez, Jorge Rizo, Arturo Ramos, Carlos Benitez, Gerardo Rodriguez, Oriel Dominguez.

Source: private collection 

1981: Cuba winner at the University Games

The National team of Cuba, winner at the University Games held in Bucharest Romania in 1981. 

Source: magazine “Il mondo del Nuoto”

1968, Mexico: The Cuban goalie Oscar Periche in action

The goalkeeper of Cuba Oscar Periche in the game of Cuba vs Netherlands 5-8 at Mexico 1968 Olympics. Periche defended the cage of Cuba into four Olympic Games 1968, 1972, 1976 and 1980.

Source http://www.gahetna.nl/

1984: Tamas Farago ready to shot in Habana

Teams that did not take part into the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, met in the “Friendship tournament” held in Havana, Cuba from 19 to 23 August 1984. Soviet Union won the competition, Hungary was second and Cuba third. This picture presents the great Hungarian star Tamas Farago in action during a tough game of Hungary against Cuban (12-12).
Source: magazine International Swimming and Water Polo 1984

1976, Montreal: Yugoslavia vs Cuba 4-4

Action during the game of Yugoslavia against Cuba in Montreal 1976 Olympic Games. Ozren Bonacic of Yugoslavia attempts a free throw in a tie 4-4 with Cuba. The team of Yugoslavia: Markovic, Bonacic, Marovic, Manojilovic, Savinovic, Polic, Belamaric, Antunovic, Dabovic, Lozica, Kacic. The team of Cuba: Periche, Garcia, Pena, Costa, Rodriguez D., Dominguez N., Rizo, Almeneiro, Perez, Rodriguez G., Dominguez O. Yugoslavia was ranked at the 5th place and Cuba at the 7th.
Source: official report Montreal 1976 Olympic Games

Munich,1972: The team of Cuba with Károly Laky

The National team of Cuba that took part at Munich 1972, Olympic Games, coached by the legendary Hungarian Károly Laky (at the centre of the photo). The Olympic team of Cuba, that finished 9th in Munich: Oscar Periche, Guillermo Martínez, Jorge Rizo, Carlos Sánchez, Eugenio Almeneiros, Orlando Cowley, Daniel Rodríguez, Geraldo Rodríguez, Osvaldo García, Guillermo Canete and Jesús Pérez. Prior to Munich, Cuba participated to several tournaments in Europe. This photo corresponds to the game of Spain - Cuba 5-4 on 17 June 1972. At the left we notice the famous Cuban referee Eugenio Martínez who in Munich initiated his great Olympic refereeing carrier.
Source: courtesy of Mr. Juan Antonio Sierra

1984: The National team of Cuba

The National Water Polo team of Cuba, the year of the Los Angeles 1984, Olympic Games. Cuba although qualified for Los Angeles missed the competition due to the boycot of East countries. Standing L-R: Juan Dominguez, Pablo Cuesta, Jorge de Valle, D. Nunez, Barbaro Diaz, O. Dominguez, Lazaro Costa, N. Dominguez. Sitting L-R: Gerardo Rodriguez, Arturo Ramos, Carlos Benitez, Juan C. Barrera, Jorge Rizo, Jesus Derouville.
Photo: Program of the 1984 Tungsram Cup, Budapest

1981, Long Beach: Cuba wins the FINA cup bronze

The National team of Cuba, winner of bronze medal in the 2nd FINA cup of Long Beach, USA in 1981. During the same year Cuba won the gold of the 1st " Coppa Latina" held in Santiago Chile.
The team of Guba: Oscar Periche, Orlando Cowley, Barbaro Diaz, Lazaro Costa, Pedro Rodriguez, Nelson Dominguez, Jorge Rizo, Arturo Ramos, Carlos Benitez, Gerardo Rodriguez, Oriel Dominguez.
Source: Juan Antonio Sierra Puerto; Un siglo de Water Polo y de Filatelia tematica en el mundo