This past Sunday, Cuba secured its hold on third place in the medal standings at the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026, thanks to a remarkable day in women's freestyle wrestling. Four Cuban athletes reached the highest spot on the podium in a single afternoon of competition, marking a historic achievement for the island.
Greili Bencosme (50 kg), Laura Herin (53 kg), Yainelys Sanz (57 kg), and Milaimys Marín (76 kg) each clinched a gold medal in their respective categories, making Cuba the only country to secure multiple titles in this discipline during the event.
The final matches were decisive: Milaimys Marín dominated Venezuelan María Acosta 7-0 in the 76 kg category; Laura Herin defeated Venezuelan Alexa Álvarez 6-3 in 53 kg; Yainelys Sanz made a comeback against Mexican Bertha Rojas to win the 57 kg title; and Greili Bencosme overcame Mexican Mercedes Castillo in the 50 kg final.
With these four gold medals, the Cuban delegation now boasts 24 golds, 20 silvers, and 31 bronzes, bringing their total to 75 medals. This keeps them trailing behind Mexico, which leads with 110 golds, 74 silvers, and 58 bronzes, and Colombia, in second with 53 golds, 64 silvers, and 41 bronzes.
Venezuela, currently fourth with 19 golds, watches as Cuba widens the gap separating them from a podium finish.
The success on Sunday follows an equally impressive performance on Saturday in men's wrestling, where Cuba shined again. Geannis Garzón earned gold in the 74 kg category—winning all his matches without conceding a single point, including a 10-0 victory over Venezuelan Ibsen Aguilar in the final—and Arturo Silot triumphed in the 97 kg class, alongside three additional bronze medals.
The collective success of the Cuban wrestlers is no coincidence; wrestling has historically been one of the island's most successful sports in these regional events.
Milaimys Marín, one of Sunday's standout athletes, had already proven her prowess by winning a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
As reported by Cubadebate, Laura Herin's gold in the 53 kg category marked the 1,950th medal in Cuba's history at the Central American and Caribbean Games, underscoring the island's significant sports legacy in this regional tournament.
Arriving at Santo Domingo 2026 as the nation with the most accumulated golds in the history of the Central American and Caribbean Games, Cuba had already amassed 1,919 gold titles before the event began. They now aim to become the first delegation to reach 2,000 historic golds in the competition.
With several disciplines yet to conclude, the Cuban team is determined to continue their golden harvest to defend their third-place position in the medal table and move closer to their objectives for these Games.
Key Achievements of Cuban Wrestlers in Regional Competitions
What was the significance of Milaimys Marín's performance?
Milaimys Marín's dominant 7-0 victory showcased her exceptional skills and continued her success on the international stage, following her bronze medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
How did Cuba perform in men's wrestling during the Games?
In men's wrestling, Cuba excelled with Geannis Garzón winning gold in the 74 kg category without losing a point, and Arturo Silot securing gold in the 97 kg class, along with three additional bronze medals.