The best Cuban athletes of 2025 were honored on Tuesday night at the Sport City Coliseum in the capital.
The ceremony, presided over by Rolando Yero Travieso, head of the Social Sector Department of the Party's Central Committee; Inés María Chapman Waugh, member of the Central Committee and Deputy Prime Minister; and Osvaldo Vento Montiller, president of Inder, recognized the achievements of those who thrilled us with their medals over the last 12 months.
Triple jump queen Leyanis Pérez and boxer Julio César La Cruz stood out as the most outstanding athletes of the year. Both athletes deserved the award for best individual athletes, female and male. In Pérez's case, she had a stellar season in the triple jump, dominating the outdoor and indoor world championships and the Diamond League.
"This was a great year in terms of my results. I take it as a starting point to achieve what I still have left to do. I want to remain among the world's elite, and that requires sacrifice and determination. I am very focused on continuing to grow," she told Granma.
In team sports, the duo of Noslen Díaz and Jorge Luis Alayo stood out, backed by their leading role in the Beach Volleyball World Tour.
For his part, Pinar del Río pitcher Liván Moinelo was the best contracted athlete and achieved the event of the year. "I am very happy with what I have achieved this year in Japan. I am preparing for the World Classic because I want to shine with the national team. The greatest reward I have is all the love of the Cuban people," he said.
The year 2026 will bring new challenges and ambitious goals for Cuban sports. The Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo and the Youth Olympics in Dakar are on the horizon, and the Cuban sports movement is preparing to maintain its prestige on the international stage.
