Cuban judo shows promise: Kayla Pita’s Youth Olympics debut and team’s Florida successes

Cuban judo delivered a strong rebound over the past week, with promising results at both the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar and the Pan American Open in Florida offering relief after a disappointing World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, Granma reported.

Kayla Pita Zorrilla shines at Youth Olympics in Dakar

Seventeen-year-old Kayla Pita Zorrilla of Pinar del Río put together a commendable performance in the 78-kilogram division at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, though a bitter setback kept her from the podium. She opened with an ippon in golden score against Australia’s Hannah McHenry, then advanced past Nicaragua’s Ashly Herrera in the quarterfinals with a strong throw for waza-ari. Her run ended against Brazil’s Clarisse Vallim, the eventual champion, who dislocated Pita Zorrilla’s shoulder, ruling her out of the bronze-medal match against China’s Yue Cheng.

The result marked a positive international debut for the Cuban judoka, who showed considerable grit and quality in her first major tournament abroad. Days earlier, during the III Andrés Kolychkine Cup in Havana, head women’s coach Boannys Chang praised her talent, noting that Pita Zorrilla had spent several months training alongside senior teammates at the Cerro Pelado High Performance School. Chang considered that traveling with her grassroots coach, Teobaldo Martínez, could prove a significant factor in handling the Dakar challenge, which she managed well.

Four golds and two silvers in Florida

Before the youth competition in Africa, six more established Cuban judokas took solid steps toward qualification for the Lima 2027 Pan American Games. After clearing difficult visa procedures, the team collected four gold medals and two silvers at the Pan American Open in Florida, United States.

Dayanara Curbelo, competing in the over-78-kilogram division, finished second in a reassuring result. Although she is the only Cuban with a guaranteed berth at the Lima Games thanks to her victory at the Youth Pan American Games, she needs to climb the rankings for a favorable draw, Chang also noted. Lianet Cardona took the other silver in the 78-kilogram category. On the opening day Saturday, newly crowned Central American and Caribbean champions Jonathan Charón (60 kg) and Orlando Polanco (66 kg) won gold against always-difficult Brazilian opponents.

Sunday belonged to the Matanzas duo Iván Felipe Silva and Andy Granda, who asserted their leadership and dominated their respective divisions. Silva, in the 100-kilogram class, defeated well-known Dominican Robert Florentino. He had previously suffered from sinusitis, according to men’s team chief Julio Alderete, but that did not stop him from reaching the top of the podium. Granda, competing in the over-100-kilogram category at the Kolychkine Cup, fought his first match since Santo Domingo due to the need to treat shoulder ailments. Still, despite limited recent match practice, he forced the disqualification of Dominican José Nova in regulation time on North American soil.

Preparation grows more complicated

There remain reasons to expect good news from Cuban judo across different tournaments, though preparation is becoming increasingly complicated and participation in events more restrictive, Granma reported. The contrast between the youth and senior successes suggests a pipeline of talent capable of competing internationally, even as logistical hurdles mount for the senior national team.

Explains qualification paths for athletes

Why does Dayanara Curbelo already have a spot at Lima 2027?
She is the only Cuban judoka with a guaranteed berth at the Pan American Games in Peru thanks to her victory at the Youth Pan American Games, Granma reported.

What injury affected Kayla Pita Zorrilla at the Youth Olympics?
Brazil’s Clarisse Vallim dislocated the Cuban’s shoulder during their semifinal, which prevented Pita Zorrilla from contesting the bronze medal against China’s Yue Cheng.

How did Andy Granda win his gold medal in Florida despite limited recent competition?
Granda had not fought since Santo Domingo because of shoulder problems, but he still forced the disqualification of Dominican José Nova in regulation time in the over-100-kilogram division.

What challenge does Cuban judo face beyond results?
Preparation is becoming more complicated and participation in international events more restrictive, according to Granma, even as the team produces medals.

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