Three prizes marked today's performance by Cubans at the Gran Premio Diputación de Castellón in Spain, the latest step on the path for several athletes preparing for the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games athletics events.

One of the victories went to discus thrower Silinda Morales, a world bronze medalist and one of Cuba's main hopes for the Dominican event, where Cuba will have 49 representatives in field and track events. The Camagüey-born athlete achieved 64.77 meters — her best mark of the season — which also placed local competitors Inés López (59.43 m) and Nneka Naomey Ezenwa (57.41 m) in silver and bronze positions respectively. Although Morales's best throw came on her sixth and final attempt, any of her earlier throws would have been enough to win: 59.91, 59.45, 62.29, and 60.20 meters.

The victory in discus was joined this time by long jumper Juan Miguel Echevarría with 8.27 meters, also his season best, enough to dominate over fellow Cuban Lester Lescay (competing for Spain) with 8.22 meters, and host athlete Héctor Santos with 8.21 meters.

Pole vaulter Aslín Quiala finished second with a height of 4.12 meters, falling short of catching Spain's Mónica Clement, who closed at 4.22 meters; fellow Cuban Ana Carrasco completed the podium with 3.97 meters.

Aslín and Silinda are part of Cuba's delegation announced for Santo Domingo 2026 — a group led by three-time world triple jump medalist Leyanis Pérez and including other stars such as triple jumpers Liadagmis Povea and Lázaro Martínez. Long jumper Jorge Hodelín, discus thrower Mario Díaz, and 400-meter runner Roxana Gómez are other stars announced as part of the group, which will seek to maintain the tradition of being one of the largest medal contributors for the Cuban delegation.

Daily Cooper (800 m and 1500 m), Anisleidis Ochoa (5000 m and 3000 m steeplechase), and Greisys Robles (100 m hurdles and 4x100 m relay) are also among those who made the cut in the regional ranking and are preparing to respond to the challenge posed by previous events' achievements.

Santo Domingo 2026 athletics are scheduled from August 2 to 8 at the Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium, and Cubans will aim to improve their numbers from San Salvador 2023, where they led the sport with nine gold, eight silver, and eleven bronze medals.