Lian Benavides and the Cuban judo team faced a difficult opening stretch at the World Judo Championships in Baku, failing to secure a single victory across the first three days of competition at the National Gymnastics Arena according to recent sports reports. Competing in the 57 kg division, Benavides exited the tournament in her opening bout against the United Arab Emirates representative Oyunchimeg Oyungerel.
Early Exits Shape Tough Start in Baku
The championship opened with defeats for the nation’s early entrants, leaving competitors searching for their footing on the Azerbaijani tatamis. Jonathan Charón started the campaign in the 60 kg category, followed by Orlando Polanco in the 66 kg division. Lian Benavides extended that streak on Tuesday when she stepped onto the mat for her debut in Pool C.
Oyungerel established control quickly in the opening thirty seconds, securing two yukos before Benavides received a shido for passivity. The match concluded at 1:37 when Oyungerel secured the winning ippon. Oyungerel advanced to her next match before losing to Serbia’s Marica Perisic, who claimed one of the division’s bronze medals.
Benavides Holds Silver Medal from Junior Pan American Cup
Benavides entered the world stage holding a fifth-place finish at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo 2026. According to International Judo Federation records, her international medal record features a silver medal from the junior Pan American Cup held in Varadero, Matanzas, in April 2023. Her competitive travel schedule has previously taken her to tournaments across Chile, Panama, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic.
Next Steps for the Delegation
Competition continues Wednesday as Maylín del Toro represents Cuba in the 63 kg category. Del Toro brings extensive international experience to the National Gymnastics Arena, having competed at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games alongside a bronze medal won at a junior world championship nearly thirteen years prior. Her opening match in Pool A is scheduled against Croatia’s Nina Simic.
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