Cuban judo made history this Monday at the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026: Iván Silva won gold in the 100 kg category and Andy Granda triumphed in the +100 kg category, achieving a golden double that reaffirms Cuba's dominance on the regional tatami.
Silva, originally from Colón, Matanzas, defeated the Colombian Francisco Balanta in the final with a wazari to claim his third Central American and Caribbean title, his fourth medal in these events — he also has a silver from Veracruz 2014 — and his first medal in the 100 kg division, having previously reached the podium in three different weight categories.
"At last, that third Central American title arrives, the fourth medal at this event. It was a challenge, a new division. I have earned medals in three different divisions in the Central American Games," Silva declared in an interview with Radio Rebelde after the competition.
The result had a special flavor: Balanta had defeated him in the previous qualifiers, although Silva had already beaten him at the Pan American Championship. The rematch came with a clear strategy, agreed upon in advance with his coaching staff. "From the beginning, it was the tactic we had discussed with the coaches. I aimed for more points and then controlled the fight, managing the tactical aspect without taking too many risks," explained the judoka from Matanzas.
Silva also highlighted his recovery from a shoulder injury that kept him out of competition for an extended period. "Thanks to God I've recovered really well, and I especially want to thank Dr. Tarragona, who is here with us at the Games, and that is essential for me to return to competition and be at the highest level, winning titles," he stated.
The champion is now aiming for an Olympic medal and believes that his speed— a natural advantage over larger rivals— will be his main weapon. "I rely on my speed; I have two weight classes below, I'm a bit faster than the 100-kilogram athletes. But I need to continue gaining in strength and improving my tactics," he acknowledged.
For his part, Andy Granda, world judo champion in +100 kg in Tashkent 2022 and two-time Pan American champion, completed the double victory by defeating the Dominican José Nova Alcántara by ippon in the +100 kg final. The victory against the local competitor, in a venue packed with Dominican fans, solidified his status as the undisputed reference in the category in the region.
Granda achieves this title after becoming the Pan American champion in Santiago, Chile 2025 and winning the Central American cups in Panama and Guatemala in 2026, although in Paris 2024 he missed out on an Olympic medal after losing the bronze match.
The event also featured the bronze medal won by Dayanara Curbelo (+78 kg), who is just 20 years old, in her debut at these competitions. The young judoka, a junior Pan American champion, defeated Izayana Marenco from Nicaragua for third place. "I am very, very, very happy with my bronze medal, my first Central American Games," Curbelo expressed, who already has direct qualification for the Pan American Games.
With these results, Cuba ranked third in the overall medal standings of Santo Domingo 2026 with six golds, two silvers, and six bronzes, totaling 14 medals, largely propelled by judo, which on Monday alone added five gold medals in a single day.
Silva, reflecting on the generational shift, conveyed a message of confidence in the future: "Some of the young athletes coming up, I believe the future is in good hands when Andy and I are no longer actively competing. I think there is a lot of talent and great potential."
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