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Cuba will focus its efforts on the triple jump for the Nanjing 2025 Indoor Athletics World Championship, as the National Commission of the discipline confirmed that only three specialists will represent the country.
Leyanis Pérez, Liadagmis Povea, and Lázaro Martínez, with outstanding figures in European competitions, are preparing to face a highly demanding event, and their performance is expected to boost Cuba's quest for medals, according to the digital site JIT.
The number of participants matches the lowest recorded, that of Portland 2016, when Rose Mary Almanza (800 meters), Yordan O'Farrill, and Jhoanis Carlos Portilla Cardena, both in the 60-meter hurdles, traveled, according to data on Facebook from specialist Eddy Luis Nápoles.
The athlete from Pinar del Río, Leyanis Pérez, reserved due to her status as the champion of the World Athletics Indoor Tour 2025, arrives at the event as the leader of the ranking after recording a jump of 14.62 meters in Lievin, France, on February 13.
Winner of the 2024 Diamond League and bronze medalist at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, she will aim to surpass the silver medal she obtained in Glasgow 2024, when she achieved a distance of 14.90 meters.
His personal best is 14.98 meters, although he also has a jump of 15.16 meters that was not officially recognized due to wind conditions.
On her part, Liadagmis Povea, also born in Pinar del Río, currently ranks second in the indoor track standings thanks to her mark of 14.57 meters achieved in Miramas, France.
Meanwhile, Lázaro Martínez, trained by Yoelbi Quesada –just like Povea–, has a mark of 17.12 meters in the current winter season and will aim to improve on the eighth place achieved in the Scottish capital.
The jumper from Guantanamo had a remarkable experience in Belgrade 2022, reaching a distance of 17.64 meters, and won a silver medal in Budapest outdoors in the following season.
In statements to the aforementioned media outlet, the national commissioner, Rolando Charroo, emphasized that "with them we have the highest hopes for medals" in a very demanding landscape. He explained that, despite the opportunities presented to Holguin's Andy Hechavarría, he did not meet the internal requirements – he was asked for a jump exceeding 17 meters – which prevented him from being part of the delegation.
However, various reports indicate that Hechavarría may have entered at the last minute due to athletes' withdrawals.
The three athletes are in optimal health and have completed the planned training during the winter campaign, centered at the headquarters in Montegordo, Portugal, where other athletes also participated in indoor events. Although other athletes, such as high jumper Luis Enrique Zayas, long jump specialists, and 800-meter runner Daily Cooper, did not reach the necessary marks to qualify, Cuba's commitment to the triple jump remains strong for Nanjing 2025.
With their sights set on medals and surpassing their previous records, the hopes of the Cuban fans rest on the performances of Pérez, Povea, and Martínez, who aim to leave an indelible mark at one of the most demanding international events in indoor athletics.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Participation in the 2025 Indoor Athletics World Championships
How many athletes will represent Cuba in the 2025 World Indoor Athletics Championships?
Only three Cuban athletes will participate in the 2025 Indoor Athletics World Championships in Nanjing: Leyanis Pérez, Liadagmis Povea, and Lázaro Martínez. These triple jump specialists are the country's hope to seek medals in this significant international event.
Who are the Cuban athletes that will participate in the 2025 World Indoor Athletics Championships?
The Cuban athletes who will compete in the 2025 World Indoor Athletics Championships are Leyanis Pérez, Liadagmis Povea, and Lázaro Martínez. Leyanis Pérez is the champion of the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Tour and leads the ranking with a jump of 14.62 meters. Liadagmis Povea holds the second position in the standings with a mark of 14.57 meters, while Lázaro Martínez will seek to improve his performance after reaching a mark of 17.12 meters in the winter season.
Why didn't other Cuban athletes qualify for the 2025 World Indoor Athletics Championships?
Other Cuban athletes, such as high jumper Luis Enrique Zayas and 800-meter runner Daily Cooper, did not achieve the necessary marks to qualify for the 2025 World Indoor Athletics Championships. The National Athletics Commission of Cuba decided to focus its efforts on the triple jump, considering that this event has greater medal potential for the country in the competition.
What expectations does Cuba have for the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships?
Cuba has high hopes of winning medals in the triple jump at the 2025 World Indoor Athletics Championships. The participation of Leyanis Pérez, Liadagmis Povea, and Lázaro Martínez, who have shown strong performances in previous international competitions, raises hopes of standing out in this high-level competitive event.
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