HAVANA, Cuba – El Salvador’s Uriel Canjura captured gold at the XXIV International Giraldilla badminton tournament in Havana, Cuba, on Saturday, defeating Portugal’s Bruno Carvalho in the final. The victory marks a significant milestone for Canjura and provides a boost for El Salvador’s ambitions as they look ahead to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Canjura, representing Suchitoto, dominated the final match with scores of 21-15 and 21-12, solidifying his position as a top contender in the tournament. The competition, held from March 10th to 15th at the Coliseo de la Ciudad Deportiva, served as crucial preparation for the upcoming Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo 2026.
This win is particularly important for Canjura as he climbs the ranks in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) standings. Prior to the Giraldilla tournament, he was ranked 158th globally. The points earned in Havana will be instrumental in his pursuit of Olympic qualification. Badminton’s qualification process for the Olympics is complex, relying heavily on BWF rankings throughout a multi-year cycle.
Canjura’s path to the gold medal was impressive. He overcame Mexican José Manuel Jaime in the semi-finals with a decisive 21-9, 21-10 victory. Earlier in the tournament, he defeated American Mukil Nambikumar 21-11, 21-11 in the quarter-finals and Cuban Iker Herrera 21-9, 21-14 in the round of 16.
Beyond his individual triumph, Canjura too secured a silver medal in men’s doubles alongside compatriot Manuel Mejía. The Salvadoran duo fell to the American pairing of Kathiravun Concheepuram and Mukil Nambikumar in a closely contested match, 21-16, 23-25, 21-10.
El Salvador’s success didn’t stop there. Javier Alas added to the medal count, earning a bronze medal in the individual event after losing to Carvalho in the semi-finals, 21-12, 21-19. Alas also teamed up with Margareth Revelo to claim another bronze in mixed doubles, falling to the Cuban team of Roberto Herrera and Taymara Oropesa 21-17, 21-13 in the semi-final round.
The Salvadoran delegation also included Manuel Calzadilla, Gabriela Barrios, and Daniela Hernández, all gaining valuable experience at the international competition. The Giraldilla tournament is a key event on the BWF calendar, attracting players from across the Americas and beyond.
With the Giraldilla now concluded, the focus for Canjura and his teammates shifts to the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo. This event will provide another opportunity to test their skills and further refine their preparations for the ultimate goal: representing El Salvador at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The Games in Santo Domingo are scheduled to begin in July, offering a crucial stepping stone on the road to Los Angeles.
This strong performance by the Salvadoran badminton team underscores the growing strength of the sport in the country and signals a promising future for El Salvador on the international stage. The team’s dedication and success are inspiring a new generation of athletes to take up the sport.
What are your thoughts on Uriel Canjura’s victory? Share your comments below, and let us know if you’ll be following the team’s progress at the Central American and Caribbean Games!
Worth a look
