Cuba Claims Three Golds in Judo at Central American Games; Host Nation Secures First Gold

Cuba dominated the judo finals at the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, clinching three gold medals in both men's and women's categories. The host nation, the Dominican Republic, also celebrated its first gold of the event.

In a packed judo arena at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center, Cuban judokas Jonathan Charon (-60 kg), Orlando Polanco (-66kg), and Dali Sentmanat (-52 kg) earned top honors. The Dominican Republic's first gold came from judoka Ana Rosa, who defeated Colombia's María Villalba by Ippon.

"I am very happy to give my country the first gold medal. It has been the result of so much sacrifice and the work has been worth it," Rosa told the media after her victory, feeling the support of her home crowd.

Other medalists included Nemesis Candelo of Panama (women's -48 kg gold) and various athletes from Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador who secured silver and bronze medals across different weight classes.