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Mario Díaz's fifth place in the discus throw, with a throw of 64.71 meters, sealed Cuba's participation in the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, considered the island's best performance in recent years.
Díaz, a protégé of coach Hilda Elisa Ramos, completed a strong competition under rainy conditions, with only one null attempt and a consistent series that positioned him among the world elite.
“I did well this year, but I think this surprised me a bit and I am very happy,” he declared to the site JIT after the event, where the Swedish athlete Daniel Stahl took first place (70.47 m), followed by the Lithuanian Mykolas Alekna (67.84) and the Samoan Alex Rose (66.96).
Striking balance... and even surprising
The Cuban delegation concluded the World Championship with a gold medal, won by Leyanis Pérez in the triple jump, and two bronze medals, earned by Silinda Morales (discus) and Lázaro Martínez (triple jump). With this outcome, the island ranked 16th in the medal table, which was led by the United States, Kenya, and Canada.
In the points table, the Cubans also finished in 16th place with 32 points, thanks to the other contributions from Liadagmis Povea (4th in the triple jump) and Roxana Gómez (6th in the 400 m, with a national record of 49.48 seconds).
It is also worth highlighting debutante Anisleidis Ochoa, with her new Cuban record in the 5000 meters (15:31.35), and Daily Cooper (personal best in the 800 m: 1:58.16).
Not even close was such a result expected. The only certainty seemed to be a medal for Leyanis, of any color, and in the end, three medals were achieved. The outcome was far beyond what many anticipated.
Achieving a world title, something that hasn't happened since Doha 2019, along with a couple of national records, suggests that athletics could rank among the top sports in the largest of the Antilles by 2025, as reported by official journalist Eyleen Ríos, special envoy of JIT.
Cubans under other flags
The triple jump once again confirmed in Tokyo 2025 that the Cuban school continues to set the global standard, albeit under different flags.
The gold was won by the Cuban nationalized Portuguese Pedro Pablo Pichardo, with an impressive jump of 17.91 meters, while the bronze went to the aforementioned Martínez, the only official representative of Cuba in the final, who recorded 17.49 meters, his best mark of the season.
Three Cubans, three flags
The men's triple jump final had a distinctly Cuban flair.
Of the six athletes trained on the Island who arrived in Tokyo, three reached the decisive stage: Pichardo (Portugal), Andy Díaz (Italy), and Martínez (Cuba).
However, only two managed to reach the podium. The most notable absence was that of Jordan Díaz, the current Olympic champion with Spain, who was sidelined due to injury during the qualifying phase.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Participation in the 2025 Tokyo Athletics World Championships
What was Cuba's most outstanding result at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo?
The most notable result for Cuba at the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships was the gold medal won by Leyanis Pérez in the triple jump. This victory not only granted her the world title but also dethroned the Venezuelan Olympic champion Yulimar Rojas.
What other medals did Cuba win at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo?
In addition to Leyanis Pérez's gold medal, the Cuban delegation secured two bronze medals. The medals were earned by Silinda Morales in the discus throw and Lázaro Martínez in the triple jump.
How did Cuba rank in the medal standings at the Tokyo 2025 Athletics World Championships?
Cuba ranked 16th in the medal table of the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships, thanks to one gold medal and two bronze medals. The United States, Kenya, and Canada topped the medal table.
What national records were set by Cuban athletes in Tokyo 2025?
In the 2025 Tokyo Athletics World Championships, two national records were set by Cuban athletes. Roxana Gómez achieved a national record in the 400 meters with a time of 49.48 seconds, and Anisleidis Ochoa established a new Cuban record in the 5000 meters with 15:31.35.
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