PANAMA CITY, Panama – Marlon Herrera of Cuba secured the gold medal in the -73 kg category at the Central American and Caribbean Cup of Judo, held in Panama City this weekend. The victory highlighted a dominant performance by the Cuban team, who topped the medal table at the competition.
Herrera, a 22-year-old judoka representing Cuba, demonstrated a high level of skill throughout the tournament. According to reports, his path to gold included a victory over Natan Lagos of Honduras in the round of 32, achieved with a Waza-Ari awasete ippon. He then swiftly defeated Alejandro Mora of Costa Rica and Ulises Méndez of Mexico – the latter being a higher-ranked competitor – with ippon throws in the subsequent rounds.
The semifinal saw Herrera overcome Colombia’s Andrés Sandoval with a yuko, setting up a final clash against Dominican Republic’s Maikor Yefri Louis Pierre. Herrera ultimately prevailed in the final, also by yuko, in a golden score decision.
Cuba’s success wasn’t limited to Herrera’s triumph. The Cuban delegation secured medals in 11 of the 14 weight divisions contested. Joining Herrera on the podium were Jonathan Charón (60 kg), Orlando Polanco (66 kg), and Andy Granda (+100 kg) who also claimed gold medals for the men.
The women’s team also contributed significantly to Cuba’s overall success. Dali Sentmanat (52 kg) and Anisleydis Ur (70 kg) exceeded expectations, securing gold medals of their own. Their performances were particularly noteworthy, as they surpassed pre-tournament projections.
Cuba finished atop the medal standings with a total of six gold medals, four silver medals, and one bronze. Mexico finished second with three gold, one silver, and six bronze medals. This result underscores Cuba’s continued strength in the sport of judo within the Central American and Caribbean region.
Herrera’s victory adds to his growing list of accomplishments. According to the International Judo Federation (IJF) website, Herrera has previously competed at the Paris Grand Slam in February 2026 and the Guadalajara Grand Prix in October 2025. He also participated in the Panamerican and Oceania Senior Championships in Santiago in April 2025, and the Varadero Panamerican Open in April 2024 and April 2023. You can find his complete results on the IJF website.
The Central American and Caribbean Cup in Panama served as an important event for judokas across the region, providing valuable competitive experience and a platform to showcase their skills. For Herrera and the Cuban team, it was a resounding success, demonstrating their dominance and setting a positive tone for future competitions.
The Cuban team’s performance in Panama is a strong indicator of their preparation for upcoming international events, including the Panamerican Senior Championships scheduled for April 18, 2026. The team will likely employ this momentum as they continue to refine their strategies and prepare for even greater challenges on the world stage.
What’s Next: The Panamerican Senior Championships will be held April 18, 2026, offering another opportunity for Herrera and his teammates to compete against the best judokas in the Americas.
