The debut of freestyle wrestling—one of the sports expected to boost the delegation's standing in the overall medal table—and two diving finals featuring Cuban athletes will center the nation's attention today during the eighth official day of the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games, hosted in Santo Domingo through August 8.

At the Judo and Wrestling Pavilion of the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center, Cuban wrestlers taking to the mat include Vladimir Vila in the up to 57-kilogram (kg) division, Carlos M. Méndez (65 kg), Geannis Garzón (74 kg), Lázaro D. Hernández (86 kg), Arturo Silot (97 kg), and Yosenki Castañeda (125 kg), aiming to lift the island nation in the standings, where it currently holds third place with 16 gold medals.

Also competing for Cuba this Friday with genuine medal prospects are divers Anisley García and Prisis L. Ruiz in the individual 1-meter springboard, while Bernardo Arias and Jesús D. Rodríguez will compete in the synchronized 10-meter platform.

Beach volleyball will also hold key defining matches, featuring Eblis Veranes and Damián Gómez in the men's division, alongside Kailin Garrido and Maikelín Diks in the women's division, participating in semifinal and final rounds. The men will first face Puerto Rico, while the women will compete against Mexico.

A highlight of the day and of the Games will take place in the morning at Quisqueya's Juan Marichal Stadium, where baseball will make its tournament debut in a matchup against Curaçao. Right-handed pitcher José I. Bermúdez has been announced as the starter, heading a lineup that includes Yoelquis Guibert, Luis V. Mateo, Yoel Yanqui, Yasiel González, Leonel Moas, José A. Noroña, Henry Quintero, Andrys Pérez, and Tailon Sánchez.

Overall, the largest island of the Antilles will see action across nine disciplines, which also include swimming, racquetball, speed inline skating, handball, and field hockey.

To date, Cuba remains third in the overall medal standings with 16 gold, 18 silver, and 23 bronze medals, trailing Mexico (80-57-44) and Colombia (42-48-28), respectively.