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Cuba has yet to reach the podium at the World Judo Championship Budapest 2025, after four days of intense matches in the Hungarian capital, as on Monday, the experienced Maylín del Toro (63 kg) was eliminated in her first match.
According to the site JIT, the athlete from Santiago, one of the most consistent figures in the women's team in recent years, was caught off guard by the Croatian Katarina Kristo, who applied the lateral sacrifice technique tani-otoshi and scored a waza-ari before the first minute of the match had elapsed.
The situation worsened when Del Toro was unable to escape the takedown and was immobilized with an osaekomi that secured Kristo's victory by waza-ari-awasete-ippon. It was an early and decisive blow to Cuba's aspirations in that category.
Orlando Polanco, the most outstanding so far
So far, the closest Cuba has come to the podium has been thanks to Orlando Polanco (66 kg), who delivered a remarkable performance that placed him in fifth place in the tournament, after losing in the bronze medal match.
Polanco, seeded in the second round, made a successful debut with a narrow victory over the Serbian Strahinja Buncic. He then pulled off the day's biggest surprise by defeating the Russian Murad Chopanov, currently ranked 8th in the world, by ippon in just 16 seconds.
In the quarterfinals, he defeated the Emirati Narmandakh Bayanmunkh with a waza-ari, securing his place in the semifinals. However, there he was thrown by ippon by the Japanese Takeshi Takeoka, the reigning world runner-up.
In the battle for bronze, he faced the legendary Hifumi Abe, a two-time Olympic champion and four-time world champion. Polanco demonstrated strength but could not overcome the technical superiority of the Japanese athlete, who claimed his sixth world medal.
Upcoming Cuban letters
Cuba still has options to improve its performance in the remaining days of the tournament. This Wednesday, the following athletes will take to the mat: Zail Ramírez (100 kg) against Guinea's Abdoulaye Millimono; Lianet Cardona (78 kg) facing Uzbekistan's Marjona Kuchimova; and Lisrialis González (78 kg) competing against Israel's Inbar Lanir, the 2023 world champion and Olympic silver medalist in Paris 2024.
In addition, in the men's heavyweight category, there will be Andy Granda (+100 kg), one of the favorites in the weight class, and the talented Jonathan Loynaz.
This is how the medal tally stands
Japan is leading the competition with four gold medals, one silver, and three bronze, followed by France (1-1-1), Georgia (1-1-0), Russia (1-0-1), and Italy (1-0-0).
By points, Cuba ranks 20th among 93 participating countries, mainly thanks to Polanco's performance.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Performance at the 2025 Budapest Judo World Championships
How did Maylín del Toro perform at the 2025 Judo World Championship in Budapest?
Maylín del Toro was eliminated in her debut at the 2025 Budapest Judo World Championship. The Cuban judoka in the 63 kg category was caught off guard by the Croatian Katarina Kristo, who executed a waza-ari and then immobilized her with an osaekomi, sealing her defeat by waza-ari-awasete-ippon.
Who has been the most outstanding Cuban judoka so far in the 2025 Judo World Championship?
Orlando Polanco has been the most outstanding Cuban judoka so far at the 2025 Judo World Championship in Budapest. Polanco finished in fifth place after losing the bronze medal match against the Japanese Hifumi Abe. His performance included notable victories over the Serbian Strahinja Buncic and the Russian Murad Chopanov.
What options does Cuba have to win medals at the 2025 Judo World Championship in Budapest?
Cuba still has judokas with medal potential in the remaining days of the tournament. Andy Granda (+100 kg) is one of the favorites in his category, while Zail Ramírez (100 kg), Lianet Cardona (78 kg), and Lisrialis González (78 kg) will also compete, facing opponents such as the Guinean Abdoulaye Millimono and the world champion Inbar Lanir.
What is the current situation of Cuban judo?
Cuban judo, like many sports on the island, faces significant challenges, such as the lack of resources, infrastructure, and a constant exodus of athletes. These limitations have negatively impacted the performance and international projection of its athletes, who must compete under adverse conditions and with limited opportunities for proper training.
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