Raidel Acea Morales (born 21 October 1990) is a Cuban-born track and field athlete who competes for Portugal 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.

Raidel Acea
Personal information
Full nameRaidel Acea Morales
Born (1990-10-21) 21 October 1990 (age 34)
Cienfuegos, Cuba
Sport
Country Portugal
SportRunning
EventMiddle distances
ClubBenfica[1]
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  Cuba
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 2011 Guadalajara 4×400 m relay
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Guadalajara 800 m
Updated on 15 December 2014

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.[2] 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.[3] His season ended on a high as he won the 800 m title for Cuba at the 2009 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships.[4]

In 2010, Acea 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.[2] 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.[5] 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.[6] 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.[5] 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.[7] 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.[8]

Personal bests

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Achievements

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Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
Representing   Cuba
2009 ALBA Games La Habana, Cuba 2nd 800 m 1:47.51 min
3rd 4 × 400 m relay 3:14.19 min
Pan American Junior Championships Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago 1st 800 m 1:48.09 min
2011 ALBA Games Barquisimeto, Venezuela 1st 800 m 1:47.06 min
2nd 4 × 400 m relay 3:05.73 min
Pan American Games Guadalajara, México 3rd 800 m 1:46.23 min A
1st 4 × 400 m relay 2:59.43 min A
2012 Ibero-American Championships Barquisimeto, Venezuela 1st 4 × 400 m relay 3:00.43 min
Olympic Games London, United Kingdom 4 × 400 m relay DNF
2013 Central American and Caribbean Championships Morelia, México 4th 4 × 400 m relay 3:03.17 A
World Championships Moscow, Russia 17th (h) 4 × 400 m relay 3:04.26
2014 World Relays Nassau, Bahamas 5th 4 × 400 m relay 3:00.61
Pan American Sports Festival Ciudad de México, México 8th 800m 1:56.34 A
Central American and Caribbean Games Xalapa, México 1st 400m 45.36 A
1st 4 × 400 m relay 3:00.70 A
2015 IAAF World Relays Nassau, Bahamas 10th 4 × 400 m relay 3:03.73
World Championships Beijing, China 7th 4 × 400 m relay 3:03.05

References

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  1. ^ "Raidel Acea bate recorde nacional" [Raidel Acea breaks national record]. S.L. Benfica (in Portuguese). 9 February 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  2. ^ a b Aplausos en deuda para Raidel (in Spanish). 5septiembre.cu (30 August 2011). Retrieved on 8 November 2011.
  3. ^ Acea, Raidel. IAAF. Retrieved on 8 November 2011.
  4. ^ 2009 Pan American Junior Championships Archived 23 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine. World Junior Athletics History. Retrieved on 8 November 2011.
  5. ^ a b Raidel Acea. Tilastopaja. Retrieved on 8 November 2011.
  6. ^ Robinson, Javier Clavelo (29 May 2011). New talents emerge at Barrientos Memorial in Havana. IAAF. Retrieved on 8 November 2011.
  7. ^ Biscayart, Eduardo (27 July 2007). Robles shines with rainy 13.25 – Pan-Am Games Day 6. IAAF. Retrieved on 8 November 2011.
  8. ^ Men's 4x400m Relay Final Archived 31 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Guadalajara2011. Retrieved on 8 November 2011.
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