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The triple jumper Leyanis Pérez and the boxer Julio César La Cruz were recognized as the best individual athletes of Cuba in 2025, according to the results of the traditional annual survey organized by the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (Inder) in conjunction with specialized journalists.
Leyanis Pérez, a year of absolute dominance in the triple jump
Leyanis Pérez signed one of the most solid seasons of recent Cuban athletics. The triple jumper secured the world titles both indoors and outdoors, successfully defended her Diamond League crown for the second consecutive season, and led the world rankings with several marks exceeding 14.90 meters.
Her performance established her as the most outstanding female athlete in individual sports and as one of the most consistent figures in international athletics in 2025.
Julio César La Cruz: Relevance and Records in Boxing
For the seasoned Julio César La Cruz, the season included a bronze medal at the World Championship organized by World Boxing, the continental belt from the World Boxing Association, his conversion into a direct challenger for the World Belt, and a record of 15 national titles, reaffirming his place among the great historical figures of Cuban boxing.
Collective awards and other recognitions
The men's beach volleyball duo made up of Jorge Luis Alayo and Noslen Díaz was also recognized as the best team of the year, while athletics was chosen as the best individual sport, mainly driven by its performance at the II Junior Pan American Games.
Baseball topped the collective sports category. In this section, the softball player Yilian Tornés was chosen as the best female athlete in team sports, and Jorge Luis Alayo was recognized as the most outstanding among men.
Event of the Year and international contracts
The Pinar del Río pitcher Liván Moinelo was selected Event of the Year and best athlete in contract, while Erick Hernández led the special sports category in ball control.
The case of the pitcher sparked controversy, as many consider him the true winner in the men's category.
Athletes with disabilities and youth
Among athletes with disabilities, the jumper Suslaidy Girat topped the women's category, and Robiel Yankiel Sol Cervantes was recognized as the most outstanding male athlete in para-athletics.
In the conventional youth section, the wrestler Yainelis Sanz and the Baseball5 player Carlos Alejandro Rivera led the honors, while in youth with disabilities, the parathlete Amalia González and the sprinter Daumey Elizarde stood out.
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