Puerto Rico and Cuba Shine at Men's Freestyle Wrestling Tournament

The Olympic wrestling qualification tournament for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) in the Dominican Republic concluded today in Panama, with Cuba and Puerto Rico taking center stage in the men’s freestyle modality.

Although, in the case of the largest of the Antilles, all six athletes secured their tickets to Santo Domingo—the top eight in each division qualify—Geannis Garzón stood out, capturing gold in the 86-kilogram category. He imposed his style against Dominican Cristopher Foca in the day's most closely contested match.

Garzón, a bronze medalist at the U23 World Championships and silver medalist at the Dmitry Korkin Memorial, was one of the Caribbean squad's top contenders, as was Arturo Silot, champion at the 2023 Central American Games in San Salvador, who secured the team's second gold medal in the 97-kilogram division.

Freestyle wrestlers Vladimir Vila (57 kg), Jean Carlos Olivero (65 kg), Orislandy Perdomo (74 kg), and Yosenki Castañeda (125 kg) each earned bronze medals in their respective weight classes and also secured their spots for the continental event.

For its part, Puerto Rico showed its claws with Dayran Cruz, gold medalist at 57 kilograms, and Joseph Silva at 65 kilograms, who also earned the top award.

In other divisions, Mexico's Austin Gómez was champion at 74 kilograms, and Venezuela's José Díaz was crowned champion at 125 kilograms.

In exclusive comments to Prensa Latina, the president of the Panamanian Associated Wrestling Association, Roberto Monterrey, stated that these three days of competition—encompassing Greco-Roman, women's freestyle, and men's freestyle—were a complete success, with over 200 athletes from 14 countries demonstrating a high level.

Monterrey praised the quality of world and Olympic-class gladiators, "like Cuba, which has a benchmark team in Olympic wrestling," he explained, and mentioned Venezuela, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and El Salvador, among others, as nations making "giant strides."

Regarding the discipline in Panama, he opined that the team had good preparation and also achieved its objective of qualifying for next year's CAC Games, for which 10 Panamanian athletes secured their respective spots.

The Dominican Republic will host the Central American and Caribbean Games for the third time. The XXV edition will take place from July 24 to August 8.

The Caribbean nation previously hosted the XII and XV editions in 1974 and 1986, respectively.