Seven Cuban women to boxing qualifier for Santo Domingo

Havana, March 5.- World championship competitors Dayira Mesa and Yoana Rodríguez lead the squad with which Cuban boxing will face the women's category of the qualifying tournament for the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games.

Mesa (70 kg) and Yoana (75 kg), recently crowned at the Independence Cup held in the Dominican Republic, will have among their teammates Magda Massó (57 kg), who completed the trio of champions from the Island in that traditional event.

National Commissioner Robinson Poll announced that the other selected boxers are Milena Palomo (51 kg), who was eliminated in that competition, CarisneyGarcía (54 kg), Melissa Millares (60 kg), and ErlisCobas (65 kg), all under the guidance of coaches Ismael Castillo and Gerardo Deroncelet.

The qualifying tournament will be held from the 11th to the 16th of this month in the Mexican city of Guadalajara and will also feature men's competitions, a segment for which Cuba has assembled a contingent led by Olympic champions Julio César La Cruz (92 kg) and ErislandyÁlvarez (65 kg).

They are joined by 2023 world silver medalists SaidelHorta (60 kg) and Fernando Arzola (+90 kg), two-time world bronze medalist Alejandro Claro (55 kg), YunierSorsano (70 kg), and KeilorGarcía (80 kg).

Under the command of the head coach for that sector, EulisesPouyout, the technical team also includes Rolando Acebal and José Ramón Amador.

Physician Rafael Lerena and physiotherapist DailenisEneida Paz will attend to both teams. (Text and photo: JIT)