Esmeralda Damiano Guerrero captured the gold medal in the 70-kilogram judo division at the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, defeating Venezuela’s Eliana Aguiar in the final, according to Listín Diario. Born in Switzerland to an Italian father and a Dominican mother, the athlete chose to represent the Dominican Republic over two other European nations early in her life.
A Childhood Choice Shaped by Family and Culture
The decision to wear the colors of the Dominican Republic originated during childhood visits to the Caribbean nation. Although she was eligible to compete for Switzerland by birth or Italy through her father’s lineage, Damiano Guerrero pointed to the atmosphere and hospitality as the deciding factors.
“My dad one day asked me which country I wanted to represent and I chose the Dominican Republic,” Damiano Guerrero said in an interview with Listín Diario. “I used to come on vacation and here the people are very friendly, very hospitable. I fell in love with the country and I always felt that I wanted to represent my mother’s land.”
Physical activity formed a central pillar of her upbringing in Switzerland. Her family tree features uncles who practiced judo, cousins and a nephew involved in track and field, and a brother who plays soccer. Before finding her path on the tatami, she initially aspired to play soccer as a goalkeeper, though her father discouraged her from playing on boys’ teams. She eventually discovered judo in Switzerland, where the sport maintains a deep tradition, noting that watching club training sessions alongside her judoka uncles cemented her preference for the discipline.
Relocation and Integration into the National Program
To accelerate her development and prepare for international competition, Damiano Guerrero relocated permanently to the Dominican Republic roughly a year prior to her victory. She currently resides at the Albergue Olímpico, training as a core member of the national selection while her parents remain in Switzerland.
“We all (the fellow judokas) take care of each other,” Damiano Guerrero said regarding life away from her family, as reported by Listín Diario. “We share training sessions, meals, conversations and even difficult moments. That makes missing my family a little easier.”
Outside of official training blocks, she spends time organizing soccer matches with her teammates and exploring local restaurants.
