Núñez wins gold in 400m hurdles at Central American Games

Yeral Núñez claimed the gold medal in the 400-meter hurdles at the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, crossing the finish line in an exciting final with a time of 48.30 seconds. The 23-year-old Dominican athlete maintained a strong pace throughout the race, accelerating in the final meters to secure first place.

This triumph marks a significant comeback for Núñez, who finished seventh with a time of 49.88 seconds at the previous Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador in 2023. Competing at home and before his own crowd, he ascended to the top of the podium three years later.

The victory underscores the impressive momentum of Dominican athletics. Núñez, alongside other prominent figures like Marileidy Paulino, has propelled the country to become a leading power in the region. Trained at the Félix Sánchez Academy, Núñez has shown remarkable progress, setting a personal best of 47.77 seconds in 2026, which positioned him among the world's elite in the 400m hurdles and made him a strong contender for regional gold.

With this gold medal, the Dominican Republic continues to bolster its medal count in athletics at Santo Domingo 2026. Núñez's achievement represents the pinnacle of his regional career, solidifying his status as the successor to a Dominican tradition of excellence in the 400-meter hurdles.