HAVANA, Cuba – The Dominican Republic’s national badminton team delivered a strong performance at the XXIV Torneo Internacional Giraldilla 2026, held in Havana, Cuba from March 11-15, securing gold, silver, and bronze medals. The team surpassed their previous showing at the tournament, where they had earned silver and bronze medals in the women’s doubles and mixed doubles events, respectively.
The Dominican Republic’s golden moment came in the women’s doubles competition, where Claritza Pie and Nairoby Jiménez triumphed over Cuban duo Leyanis Contreras Cabeza and Taymara Oropesa Pupo. A third-place tie for bronze in the same event saw fellow Dominicans Alissa Juleisi Acosta and Daniela Acosta also taking home a medal.
Nairoby Jiménez also contributed to the Dominican medal count, partnering with Yonatan Linárez to win silver in the mixed doubles event. They were defeated by the Cuban pair of R. Herrera Vázquez and Taymara Oropesa Pupo. The men’s doubles team of Víctor Alexander Ovalles Mordán and Ernick Zorrilla secured a bronze medal, falling to Americans Kathiravu Concheepuram Manivan and Mukil Nambikuman. Another bronze medal was added in women’s doubles, with Acosta and Acosta losing to the Cuban team of Contreras Cabeza and Oropesa.
The success of the Dominican team at the Giraldilla International is a testament to their dedication and preparation. Federación Dominicana de Bádminton (FEDOBAD) President Nelson Javier Ozuna highlighted the significant progress the sport has made in the Dominican Republic in recent years. “Estamos avanzando,” Ozuna stated, emphasizing the team’s intense preparation for the competition and the excellent form displayed by players like Ernick Zorrilla, Anderson Taveras, Jhonatan Linárez, Víctor Ovalle, Nairoby Jiménez, Daniela Acosta, Claritza Pie, and Juleixi Acosta.
Ozuna also acknowledged the contributions of the coaching staff, including head coach Maykel Moreno, psychologist Manuel Fernando, and coach Wilton Tavárez. He recalled the strong performance of Alba Jiménez and Clarisa Pie in the women’s doubles at the 2025 tournament, as well as the success of Anderson Taveras and Gabriela Acosta in the mixed doubles event during the same competition.
The Dominican team’s achievements were supported by the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, led by Kelvin Cruz, the Dominican Olympic Committee, under the leadership of Garibaldi Bautista, and the National Institute of Education (INEFI), directed by Alberto Rodríguez Mella.
The Giraldilla International, organized annually since 2000 by the Cuban Badminton Association in cooperation with Badminton Pan Am, holds a significant place in the badminton calendar. Originally held in Pinar del Río, the tournament has been hosted in Havana since 2013. The 2026 edition was a “Future Series” event, according to Badminton Pan America, attracting competitors from across the region.
This year’s tournament, which ran from March 10-15, 2026, saw the Dominican Republic build on previous successes and establish itself as a growing force in Pan American badminton. The medals earned in Havana represent a significant step forward for the program, and a promising sign for future competitions. The team’s performance underscores the increasing investment and development within the sport in the Dominican Republic.
Looking ahead, the Dominican Republic will aim to continue this momentum, building on the foundation laid at the Giraldilla International. Further details regarding the team’s upcoming schedule and training plans will be released by FEDOBAD in the coming weeks. Fans can follow the team’s progress and receive official updates through the federation’s official channels.
