Rafael A. Lecuona
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Rafael A. Lecuona, Ph.D. (born June 2, 1928 in Havana, Cuba) was a gymnast, a former member of the Cuban gymnastics team (1948-1955), and Professor Emeritus of Texas A&M International University in Laredo. He competed in the Pan American Games in Buenos Aires (1951) and Mexico City (1955) and was a member of the Florida State University's Men's Gymnastics team from 1953 to 1956.
While at FSU, Dr. Lecuona was credited with being the first person to introduce to the United States the Russian Moor dismount in the pommel horse. At the 1951 Pan American Games, Dr. Lecuona won the gold medal in the pommel horse and the silver in the men's all around, rings, and men's vault. He also won the silver medal in the pommel horse at the 1955 Pan American Games. Dr. Lecuona represented Cuba during the Olympic Games of 1948 (London), 1952 (Helsinki), and 1956 (Melbourne). He was ranked 29th among world gymnasts in 1955.
Dr. Lecuona received a doctorate in political science from FSU in 1970 and was professor of political science at the Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas. He was one of the original faculty members at the founding of Texas A&I University at Laredo, in 1970 – which later became Texas A&M International – and was recognized by the state university system with an Emeritus designation upon his retirement in 2002.
Dr. Lecuona is the author of numerous books and professional articles in the fields of Latin American politics and economics. He is a nephew of famed Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona and a cousin of Cuban classical guitarist and composer, Leo Brouwer. He is the father of two boys, Mark and Miguel Lecuona, and currently resides in Laredo, Texas.
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