Wrestler and judoka to carry Panama's flag at Central American and Caribbean Games

Panama is sending a delegation of 217 athletes to the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games, set to take place in the Dominican Republic from July 24 to August 8. The national Olympic committee officially presented the team, naming wrestler Ángel Cortés and judoka Némesis Candelo as the flag bearers.

Cortés, a second corporal in the National Police, recently won a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the Bolivarian Games in Ayacucho Lima 2025. Candelo also secured a gold medal in judo at the same event. Their selection highlights Panama's hopes for strong performances in these disciplines.

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The goal is always to be better than the previous version. And that's what we work on.

Damaris Young, president of the Panamanian Olympic Committee and a member of the International Olympic Committee, expressed her satisfaction with the delegation's size, noting it includes nearly 70 more athletes than the previous games. She emphasized that Panama's participation is a result of its own merit, building on the success of the 2023 games where the country secured 23 medals (five gold, six silver, and twelve bronze), marking its best performance since the 1970s.

The upcoming games in Santo Domingo represent Panama's 24th appearance, having only missed the inaugural event in 1926. The delegation comprises 217 athletes, 70 officials and coaches, 17 interdisciplinary team professionals, and support staff. These games are considered the first major test for Panamanian sports as they prepare for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

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I feel happy and content because participation in this new edition of the games not only implies almost seventy-odd more athletes, but also that Panama is going to the Central American and Caribbean Games on its own merit.