HAVANA, Cuba – Rising stars Jerónimo Giraldo and Juliana Castaño are representing the Risaralda League of Badminton at the Junior International of Habana 2026, currently underway in Havana, Cuba. The tournament, which began this past Sunday, March 8th, is a crucial opportunity for the pair to accumulate ranking points and strengthen their positions on the international stage, with sights set on future Pan American and Latin American competitions.
Giraldo, seeded first in his bracket, expressed his ambition for the tournament. “I hope to perform very well in these tournaments and earn a good international ranking to secure a favorable seeding for the South American Games next month,” he said. “I also hope to have a strong showing in doubles at the senior level.”
Following the Junior International, Giraldo and Castaño will compete in the prestigious XXIV International Giraldilla 2026, beginning Tuesday, March 10th and concluding Sunday, March 15th. This event is seen as a key stepping stone for gaining experience, international points, and competitive exposure. Both athletes have significant long-term goals: Giraldo is aiming for the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar 2026, whereas Castaño is focusing her preparation towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. They are being coached throughout both tournaments by William Gutiérrez of the Risaralda League.
The focus on international competition comes on the heels of success at the national level. The municipality of Buga, Valle del Cauca, recently hosted the First National Junior Badminton Valid, attracting over 90 athletes from eight departments across the country. The Risaralda delegation, led by coach Natalia Flórez, secured a strong showing with one gold medal and three bronze medals. This performance is particularly encouraging given the junior category represents the next generation of Colombian badminton players.
Jerónimo Gálviz claimed the gold medal in the U-15 individual men’s category. The bronze medals were awarded in U-15 men’s doubles to Gálviz and Santiago Gutiérrez, in women’s doubles to Laura Portilla and Susana Rendón, and in U-13 individual men’s to Jhony Marulanda.
The success of the Risaralda League is a testament to strong administrative leadership. Natalia Florez, president of the league, was named manager of the year by ACORD Risaralda journalists. Coach William Gutiérrez highlighted the league’s progress, noting its growing prominence both nationally and internationally throughout 2025. “We were in the South American Junior and Seniors and also in the Para Badminton, held in the city of Bucaramanga,” Gutiérrez explained. “The Risraldense delegation was attended by 16 athletes and three coaches.”
Gutiérrez emphasized the importance of combining sporting prowess with effective administration. “We are very happy with the results obtained, and this is consistent with everything our league has been developing during 2025, where we have positioned our athletes in the international arena, thanks to that good administration by our president Natalia Florez López, which makes those resources that arrive in from the Government, potentiate and expand to achieve everything that was done in 2025.”
The league’s achievements extend beyond the junior ranks. At the South American Junior and Seniors tournament, Juliana Giraldo, Karen Patiño, Enrique Rodríguez, and Jerónimo Giraldo represented Risaralda. Giraldo achieved a significant milestone, being crowned South American champion and winning the gold medal. She then teamed up with Patiño to secure a silver medal, falling to a Peruvian duo in the final. Giraldo and Jerónimo Giraldo also added a bronze medal in mixed doubles, losing in the semi-final to another Peruvian pair.
The Risaralda League also contributed six athletes to the team modality of the South American Junior tournament, joining another 14 from across the country to win a bronze medal in the team event.
These recent successes underscore the growing strength of badminton in Risaralda and Colombia as a whole. The dedication of the athletes, coaches, and administrators is clearly paying dividends, and the future looks bright for this dynamic sport.
Next up for Giraldo and Castaño is the continuation of the XXIV International Giraldilla 2026 in Havana, where they will look to build on their momentum and further elevate their international profiles. Fans can follow updates on the tournament’s official website and through the Risaralda League of Badminton’s social media channels.
