Cubans win gold and silver at the Underwater Photography World Championship.

Cuban Fabián Álvarez Gómez and Yaroyg Oños Gálvez won the gold medal in the Macro category and took the silver in the Wide Angle modality at the 2024 CMAS World Underwater Photography Championship, held in Saranda, Albania.

According to the news portal Jit, Álvarez and Oños achieved that incredible result by surpassing competitors from 18 countries.

Oños, in charge of logistics, said: "In these results is the support of many compatriots, family, and friends."

A shared opinion by Álvarez from Camagüey, who is in charge of taking the snapshots: “This is a team effort where nothing can go wrong to achieve competitive photos in such a high-level contest.”

In addition to their medals, the Cuban duo also achieved a commendable fifth place in the creative photo category.

The event, which was initially scheduled to take place in Vlore, was held in the crystal-clear waters of Saranda, a port city known for its beaches on the Albanian Riviera.

Luis López Bermúdez, methodology specialist of the Recreation Directorate of Inder, highlighted to the cited news portal the quality of the Cuban team and their outstanding previous performance at the Varadero 2023 World Championship.

"We were confident that they would have a prominent participation," expressed López.

This championship is organized by the World Underwater Activities Confederation (CMAS), an institution that promotes various underwater competitions and the conservation of the marine environment since 1958.

The Confederation also promotes scientific research, as well as the conservation of the marine environment, and establishes safety standards and best practices for diving and other underwater activities.

In October 2023, the Cuban regime organized the 19th World Underwater Photography Championship in Varadero.

The official newspaper Girón presented the holding of the contest as an achievement, although it took place amid a profound energy crisis in the country, in a social context marked by food scarcity, inflation, and the increase of poverty in Cuba.