DistantNews
Support us
🇨🇺 Cuba /Sports

Yander Herrera: The Cuban Hurdler Who Never Concedes Defeat

From Granma · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Cuban hurdler Yander Herrera possesses a strong winning mentality, believing athletes should never contemplate defeat.
  • He reflects on past races where overconfidence led to errors, such as at the 2024 World U20 Championships and the 2025 Pan American Junior Games, learning valuable lessons about respecting opponents.
  • Herrera describes his pre-race ritual, which involves intense concentration and a unique interaction with the hurdles, aiming to intimidate rivals and boost his own confidence.

Cuban hurdler Yander Herrera embodies a philosophy that rejects the very notion of losing. "I don't think that idea even crosses an athlete's mind," he asserts, emphasizing that years of sacrifice and training are dedicated solely to the pursuit of victory. For Herrera, winning extends beyond simply standing on the podium; it's about an unwavering mindset that carries him through challenging moments.

I think no athlete will ever say they are going to lose. Even, I don't think that idea crosses their mind.

— Yander HerreraExpressing his core philosophy on athletic competition.

His journey has been marked by significant achievements, including a double victory at the 2025 Pan American Junior Games in Asunción, where he became champion and set a new record in the 110-meter hurdles. However, Herrera openly admits to moments where overconfidence nearly cost him dearly. He recalls underestimating rivals in that Asunción final, a mistake stemming from his semifinal performance, and a similar lapse in judgment at the 2024 World U20 Championships in Lima, where he slowed down prematurely, hit a hurdle, and finished fourth.

In that race I got overconfident. I saw myself with the semifinal record and I underestimated the event and the rivals. It was wrong of me.

— Yander HerreraReflecting on his mistake during the 2025 Pan American Junior Games final.

These experiences, though difficult, have forged a valuable lesson in humility and respect for his competitors. "That final in Asunción taught me that I cannot ignore anything, and my opponents always come with the same idea," he explains. This self-awareness, coupled with a "strong character," defines his approach. He trusts his preparation, knowing he is the one putting in the work, and therefore doesn't concede superiority to anyone before a race.

That final in Asunción taught me that I cannot ignore anything, and my opponents always come with the same idea.

— Yander HerreraSummarizing the key lesson learned from his competitive experiences.

Herrera's pre-race ritual is as distinctive as his mindset. Moments before the gun, he approaches the first hurdle, leans over it, and closes his eyes in meditation. He then returns to his lane, shouts, and assumes his starting position. This practice, he explains, is about intense concentration and a deliberate attempt to "impress the rivals" and project an aura of power. He even "likes to talk to the hurdle," viewing it as a one-on-one confrontation where he needs to feel confident and capable of overcoming the obstacle.

I like to approach the hurdle and talk to it. In the race, it's just the two of us. At that moment, I seek to feel good and believe that I can.

— Yander HerreraDescribing his unique pre-race ritual and mental preparation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Granma in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog