Cuba Wins Silver in Mixed Team Event at the 2026 Pan American Senior Judo Championship

April 21, 2026

Cuba's mixed judo team reached the final of the 2026 Pan American Senior Judo Championship, held at the Panama Hotel in Panama City from April 18 to 20, before falling to powerhouse Brazil. The Cuban delegation had previously defeated Colombia and the Dominican Republic in the earlier rounds, showing the growing strength of Cuba's judo program at the continental level.

In the final against Brazil, Andy Granda (over 90 kg) was Cuba's sole winner, defeating Lucas Lima by ippon in one minute and 20 seconds. However, the remaining bouts went Brazil's way: Marlon Herrera (73 kg) lost to Pan American champion Daniel Cargnin by yuko; Amado Montes (90 kg) lasted just over 90 seconds against Rafael Macedo; and Lian Benavides (57 kg) and Anisleidys Ur (70 kg) were thrown by Sarah Souza and Nauana Silva respectively. Dayanara Curbelo Travieso (+70 kg) did not take the mat as the outcome was already decided in Brazil's favor.

The silver medal in the team event was the final piece of a strong overall campaign for Cuba in Panama, which ended with a total of two medals of each color — two golds, two silvers, and two bronzes. Individual gold medals went to Jonathan Charon (-60 kg) and Orlando Polanco (-66 kg), while silvers came from Ivan Felipe Silva (-100 kg) and the mixed team; Dayanara Curbelo (+78 kg) contributed a bronze on opening day. Cuba finished in second place in the overall medal standings, behind only Brazil.