Saúl Mena wins Dominican Republic's first eSports gold at Central American Games

Saúl Mena, a renowned world champion in the video game Street Fighter, has made history by winning the gold medal in eSports at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games. Competing under the alias MenaRD, the 26-year-old defeated Panama's representative to secure the title, becoming the first Dominican athlete to achieve a gold medal in an eSports discipline at this regional event.

MenaRD, whose full name is Saúl Leonardo Mena II, is recognized as one of the top competitors in the Street Fighter franchise globally. He is also a co-owner of the esports organization Bandits Gaming and represents high-profile international teams such as Weibo Gaming and Red Bull eSports. His victory adds a unique and modern dimension to the Dominican Republic's sporting achievements at the Games.

Street Fighter, created by Japanese company Capcom, is described as one of the most iconic and culturally impactful fighting game franchises in history. The series has been instrumental in defining the conventions of modern fighting games and remains a cornerstone of the global fighting game community (FGC). Mena's success in this highly competitive arena underscores the growing recognition and legitimacy of eSports.

Mena's gold medal win is part of the Dominican Republic's broader success at the Games. In a separate development, the Dominican Republic's men's softball team advanced to the final against Venezuela, and the country has seen significant medal contributions from sports like boxing and athletics, further bolstering their position in the overall medal standings.