Maylín del Toro Among Seven Cuban Judokas Competing at Pan American Senior Championship in Panama

April 18, 2026

Cuba is fielding a team of seven athletes at the Pan American Senior Judo Championship, which takes place in Panama City from April 18 to 20, 2026. Among them is Maylín del Toro Carvajal, the experienced Camagüey-born judoka who competes in the 63-kilogram category. The championship is one of the most prestigious events in the Pan American Judo Union (PAJU) calendar and awards ranking points toward qualification for the 2027 Lima Pan American Games.

Del Toro, 32, is a two-time Pan American Judo Champion and one of the most decorated Cuban competitors in the women’s draw. She brings to Panama a wealth of international experience, including her participation at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she represented Cuba in the 63 kg division. Her presence in the squad underscores Cuba’s continued commitment to competing at the top level in continental judo.

The Pan American Senior Judo Championship draws competitors from across North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America, making it a key indicator of the regional judo landscape ahead of major upcoming international commitments. For Cuba, strong results in Panama would bolster their standing in the Pan American rankings and strengthen their position as one of the leading judo nations in the Americas.

The competition, reported by the Cuban News Agency (ACN), serves as an important step in the preparation cycle for Cuban athletes targeting the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, where judo medals will carry significant prestige for the island nation’s sporting program.