Guatemala City, Guatemala – The Cuban judo team emphatically asserted its dominance at the Central American and Caribbean Senior Cup in Guatemala this weekend, securing five gold medals and solidifying their position as a force to be reckoned with ahead of the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo later this year. The tournament, which concluded on Sunday, served as the final qualifying event for the multi-sport regional games.
Cuba’s 15-member squad – comprised of eight men and seven women – finished the competition with a remarkable haul of 13 medals: five gold, four silver, and four bronze, according to reports from Cubadebate and CiberCuba. The team was guided by coaches Julio Alderete, Boennys Chang, and Antonio Becali.
Cuban Gold Medalists Shine in Guatemala
The five Cuban athletes who reached the top of the podium in Guatemala were Orlando Polanco (66 kg), Andy Granda (+100 kg), Dali Semanat (52 kg), Maylin del Toro (63 kg), and Dayanara Curbelo (+78 kg). Granda, a world champion from Tashkent 2022 and a Pan American Games gold medalist from Santiago 2025, continues to be a central figure for the Cuban team.
Adding to the medal count, Iván Felipe Silva (100 kg), Yainet Coronado (48 kg), Lianet Cardona (78 kg), and Naysdel Cardoso (90 kg) each earned silver medals. Jonathan Charón (60 kg), Marlon Herrera (73 kg), Rubén Romero (81 kg), and Anisleidys Ur López (70 kg) secured bronze medals for Cuba.
Strong Regional Competition, Colombia Leads Overall Medal Count
The tournament in Guatemala drew 14 nations, with Mexico fielding the largest delegation of 17 athletes. Although Cuba excelled, Colombia ultimately led the overall medal standings with six gold, five silver, and three bronze medals. However, Cuba secured the second-most gold medals with five titles.
This strong performance comes after a successful showing at the Copa Panamericana in Panama weeks earlier, where the Cuban team dominated with six golds, four silvers, and one bronze. Cuba strategically chose to participate in only two of the six qualifying tournaments in the regional circuit – Panama and Guatemala – demonstrating a focused approach to qualification.
Ranking and Future Prospects for Santo Domingo 2026
Following the results from both Panama and Guatemala, Andy Granda, Yainet Coronado, and Anisleidys Ur López currently hold fifth-place rankings in their respective weight divisions, positioning them well for the upcoming Central American and Caribbean Games. Other Cuban athletes also feature prominently in the rankings: Naysdel Cardoso (90 kg) is seventh, while Rubén Romero (81 kg) and Iván Felipe Silva (100 kg) are tied for eighth. Orlando Polanco (66 kg) is tenth, Jonathan Charón (60 kg) is eleventh, and Marlon Herrera (73 kg) is fourteenth.
In the women’s rankings, Lianet Cardona (78 kg) is sixth, Maylín del Toro (63 kg) and Daili Semanat (52 kg) are seventh, and Dayanara Curbelo (+78 kg) is eighth.
The Cuban team’s next competitive appearance will be at the Pan American Senior Championships, scheduled for April 18th in Panama. This event will serve as a final tune-up before the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, where judo is expected to be a key source of medals for the Cuban delegation.
The success in Guatemala underscores Cuba’s commitment to judo and its potential for continued success on the regional stage. The team’s strategic focus on key qualifying events and the strong performances of its athletes suggest a bright future for Cuban judo as they prepare for the challenges ahead in Santo Domingo.
Key Takeaways:
- Cuba secured five gold medals at the Central American and Caribbean Judo Cup in Guatemala.
- The tournament served as the final qualifying event for the Santo Domingo 2026 Games.
- Andy Granda, Yainet Coronado, and Anisleidys Ur López are currently ranked fifth in their respective divisions.
- Cuba strategically focused on only two qualifying tournaments: Panama and Guatemala.
- Judo is expected to be a strong sport for Cuba at the Central American and Caribbean Games.
Stay tuned to Archysport for further updates on the Cuban judo team’s preparations for the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo. What are your thoughts on Cuba’s performance? Share your comments below!
