Cuban Boxer Dayira Mesa Wins Historic Gold at Central American and Caribbean Games

August 23, 2026

Cuban boxer Dayira Mesa Sola won the gold medal in the women's 70-kilogram division at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, defeating Puerto Rico's Stephanie Piñeiro by split decision in a closely contested final held on August 8, 2026.

The judges' scorecards favored Mesa 29-27, 29-27 and 30-26, capping a tournament in which the Santiago de Cuba native worked her way through the bracket to reach the title bout. Her victory was the only gold medal for Cuban boxing at these Games and was described by several outlets covering the competition as the first gold medal for a Cuban woman boxer in the recent history of the regional event.

Mesa is a relatively new face in Cuba's women's boxing program, having made her amateur debut in February 2025. Her rapid rise culminated in Santo Domingo, where Cuba's traditionally strong men's boxing team came away from the Games without a single title, making Mesa's win the standout result for the island's boxing delegation.

The result contrasted with Cuba's stronger showing in track and field at the same Games, where the island won ten gold medals, including one by 800-meter runner Rose Mary Almanza.