Havana, March 18 (RHC) – The conquest of five belts sealed Cuba’s performance in the qualifier for the boxing tournament of the Central American and Caribbean Games of Santo Domingo 2026.
Having secured all 13 qualifying spots in Guadalajara, Mexico, the Cuban team won every title in the men’s competition and showed promise among the women.
Although the tournament ended with a couple of unexpected results, the men demonstrated the progress made in overcoming the disappointment of winning only two medals at the previous Central American and Caribbean Games.
The men’s team lived up to expectations, with Olympic champion Erislandy Álvarez (65 kg), 2023 world silver medalist Saidel Horta, and two-time world bronze medalist Alejandro Claro (55 kg) among the top performers.
The team was completed by Yusnier Sorsano (70 kg) and Keylor García (80 kg), while it was a disappointing day for Fernando Arzola (+90 kg), the world silver medalist from three years ago, and two-time Olympic champion Julio César La Cruz (90 kg).
The first bout slowed after the initial round, and star athlete La Cruz suffered a cut that forced the stoppage of the fight. He was immediately attended to by the team’s medical staff, who ruled out any further complications.
Among the women, Carysney García (54 kg) and Magda Massó (57 kg) displayed their skill and earned silver medals after losing to more experienced opponents with international accolades.
García was defeated by Colombia’s number two ranked athlete in the world and Pan American Games leader, Yeni Arias, while her teammate fell to Venezuela’s Omailyn Alcalá, who finished third in both events.
Erlis Cobas (65 kg) won bronze, and Yailena Palomo (51 kg), Dayira Mesa (70 kg), and Yoana Rodríguez (75 kg) were eliminated but did not qualify for the next round.
