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The Cuban Andy Granda (+100 kg) shone this Saturday by winning the Pan American and Oceania Judo Championship in Santiago, Chile 2025, after defeating the Brazilian Rafael Buzacarini in the final.
Granda, who began his journey with a quick victory by ippon over the Australian Kody Andrews and then defeated the Dominican José Nova, achieved his fifth Pan American title since 2020, establishing himself as one of the most consistent figures in judo on the island, according to a report from the site JIT.
The Matancero, world champion of Tashkent 2022, came very close to winning a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, but lost in the fight for the medal.
Cuba's performance was complemented by another five medals (one silver and four bronze), allowing it to secure fourth place among 22 participating nations, surpassing its performance from last year in Rio de Janeiro.
Other medals for Cuba
Jonathan Loynaz (+100 kg) secured the bronze medal, joining Granda on the podium after defeating the Mexican Sergio del Sol.
Lianet Cardona (78 kg) also secured the bronze after defeating the Peruvian Camila Figueroa in the final seconds of her match.
Naomis Elizarde (+78 kg) secured her medal after easily defeating the representative from the Bahamas, Karra Hanna.
Yilian Carvajal (70 kg) narrowly missed the podium, finishing in fifth place after losing to the Venezuelan Eliana Aguilar.
Meanwhile, figures like Iván Silva (100 kg) were unable to secure a medal after losing to the Dominican Robert Florentino, a competitor who had also defeated him in the previous edition.
Dominion of Brazil
Brazil dominated the medal table with nine golds, followed by Canada and the United States, while Cuba, with a tally of one gold, one silver, and four bronzes, reaffirmed its competitive presence on the continent, although it was far from previous results.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba’s Performance at the 2025 Pan American Judo Championships
How did Andy Granda stand out at the 2025 Pan American Judo Championship?
Andy Granda won the gold medal in the +100 kg category by defeating the Brazilian Rafael Buzacarini in the final. This victory marks his fifth Pan American title since 2020 and solidifies his position as one of the most consistent figures in Cuban judo.
What other Cuban judokas won medals at the 2025 Pan American Judo Championship?
Cuba won a total of six medals at the 2025 Pan American Judo Championship: one gold, one silver, and four bronze. In addition to Andy Granda, Jonathan Loynaz (+100 kg), Lianet Cardona (78 kg), and Naomis Elizarde (+78 kg) earned bronze medals.
What was Cuba's position in the medal standings at the 2025 Pan American Judo Championships?
Cuba finished in fourth place among countries in the medal standings at the 2025 Pan American Judo Championships, surpassing its performance from the previous year in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil dominated the medal count with nine titles, followed by Canada and the United States.
What has been the recent performance of Cuban judo in international competitions?
Cuban judo has experienced ups and downs in recent years. Although Andy Granda and other judokas have achieved good results, such as the bronze medals at the 2025 Tashkent Grand Slam, the Cuban team did not manage to win any medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, which reflects a decline in performance compared to previous years.
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