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The Greco-Roman wrestler Luis Orta, Olympic champion in Tokyo 2020 and world champion in 2023, was unable to progress to the repechage and concluded Cuba's participation in the Wrestling World Championship in Zagreb 2025 with a loss, where the island departs with a minimal tally of just one bronze medal.
Orta, in the 67 kg category, started off with clear victories against the Ukrainian Maksym Liu (10-0) and the Turkish Murat Firat (2-1), but in the quarter-finals, he lost 2-4 to the Russian Daniial Agaev, who competes under a neutral flag.
Since Agaev was eliminated later by the Iranian Saeid Gholi Esmaeil, the current Olympic champion in Paris 2024, the Cuban was left without a chance for repêchage, according to JIT.
A balance well below
Cuba brought seven gladiators to the Croatian event, and only wrestler Milaimis Marín (76 kg), Olympic bronze medalist in Paris, managed to stand on the podium with another bronze medal.
The result is far from what was achieved in Belgrade 2023, when the Cuban delegation secured two world titles and a bronze medal, with Orta and Gabriel Rosillo as champions and Óscar Pino in third place.
Setback of a historical power
The closure in Zagreb reflects a significant setback for Cuban wrestling, one of the sports that guaranteed Olympic and world medals for decades. The contrast with previous editions confirms the results crisis, characterized by a lack of replacements, the exodus of talent, and the structural difficulties facing the sport on the Island.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Performance in the 2025 Wrestling World Championship
How many medals did Cuba win at the 2025 World Wrestling Championships in Zagreb?
Cuba won only one bronze medal at the Wrestling World Championship in Zagreb 2025. This was earned by wrestler Milaimis Marín in the 76 kg category.
What results did Luis Orta achieve at the 2025 Wrestling World Championship?
Luis Orta, Olympic champion in Tokyo 2020, did not advance to the repechage at the 2025 Wrestling World Championships, being eliminated from the competition after losing in the quarterfinals against the Russian Daniial Agaev.
What is the current situation of wrestling in Cuba?
The sport of wrestling in Cuba is facing a crisis of results, reflected in the Wrestling World Championship in Zagreb, where the island only secured a bronze medal. This crisis is a consequence of the lack of generational change, the exodus of talent, and the structural difficulties of the sport on the island.
How does Cuba's performance in the 2025 Wrestling World Cup compare to previous editions?
In the 2025 Wrestling World Championships, Cuba had a significantly lower performance compared to previous editions, like the Belgrade 2023 World Championships, where it won two world titles and one bronze. This decline in performance reflects the current crisis of Cuban sports.
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