Cuba earned four gold medals on the first day of finals at the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games, highlighted by a dominant performance from its judo team, which secured three of those titles.

"We have received our first gold medals at the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games, won by cyclist Marlies and judokas Jonathan, Orlando, and Dali," expressed Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party and President of the Republic, on X.

Young athletes Jonathan Charon and Orlando Polanco, alongside Dali Sentmanat, reached the top of the podium on the tatami, following Marlies Mejías, who claimed the delegation's first gold medal in the cycling individual time trial.

Equally valuable were the bronze medals claimed by Ana Jiménez and Leah Almeida in rowing—marking the Cuban delegation's very first podium finish—as well as the bronze earned by the men's recurve team in archery.

Two athletes from Santiago de Cuba, Tania Indira Delgado and Dani Valenciano, joined forces to bring taekwondo to the podium. Delgado secured third place in traditional individual poomsae before teaming up with Valenciano to earn another medal in the discipline's event debut at these Games.

"Every medal tells a story of sacrifice. Seeing them on the podium is deeply moving, not only because they defeated their opponents, but also because they overcame the harsh context they have chosen to face in order to bring glory to the Homeland," stated the President, adding that "some are very young, others are veterans, but all are united by resilience, talent, and passion. Congratulations, champions! A warm embrace to all the medalists."