Cuba claims women's handball gold at Central American Games

Cuba's women's handball team seized the gold medal at the Santo Domingo-2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, decisively defeating the Dominican Republic 35-17. The victory avenged a narrow loss to the same Dominican team in the Caribbean Cup final just months prior, where the hosts had won 30-28.

From the opening whistle, the Cuban team controlled the match. While the Dominican Republic managed to resist Cuba's initial push and narrowed the gap to 12-5 before halftime, they ultimately succumbed to Cuba's relentless pressure. The second half was a rout, with Cuba outscoring the hosts 23-9, fueled by a suffocating defense that forced numerous turnovers.

Lietis Beltrán was instrumental in Cuba's offensive success, scoring five goals on six attempts and orchestrating fast breaks. She formed a potent partnership with Zajaris Hernández, who added four goals. "We have played together since we were children, we know each other with our eyes closed, and that's why the plays come out from memory," Hernández said after the game.

Beltrán expressed her elation, stating, "Since I was training in Cuba, I only thought about winning this medal. We achieved tremendous unity between the athletes competing in Europe and those training on the Island. This gold is for my family and our people." Coach Jorge Coll highlighted the tactical approach, focusing on exploiting the Dominican team's defensive weaknesses and capitalizing on their slow retreat. The integration of eight players from European leagues significantly bolstered the team's depth and allowed for smooth game management.