Cuban Athletes Gear Up for the 2025 Pan American Junior games
the next four months will be crucial for Cuban athletes as they strive to secure as many qualifying spots as possible for the 2025 Pan American Junior Games in Asunción. With 54 spots already secured across five disciplines, the Cuban delegation is aiming to increase this number through upcoming qualifying events adn rankings.
José Antonio Miranda, Director General of High Performance at the National Institute of Sports, physical Education and Recreation (INDER), highlighted the disciplines that have already contributed to Cuba’s quota: men’s handball (14), canoeing (5 women and 5 men), cycling (1 woman and 2 men), skating (2 men and 1 woman), volleyball (12 men and 12 women), and beach volleyball (2 men and 2 women).
Eleven more sports will offer qualifying opportunities in the coming months: badminton, women’s handball, field hockey, judo, weightlifting, wrestling, taekwondo, shooting, archery, triathlon, and sailing.Seven sports – diving, swimming, synchronized swimming, basketball, athletics, tennis, and table tennis – have yet to release their qualification criteria.
Miranda emphasized that the Asunción Games, scheduled from August 9th to 23rd, will serve as a valuable platform to evaluate Cuba’s future sporting talent for the 2028-2032 Olympic cycles and identify athletes with the potential to compete in the 2028 los Angeles Olympics.
“Our goal is to ensure the continuous development of new generations of athletes,facilitating a smooth transition to the next competitive level,” Miranda stated. “We also aim to secure the maximum number of spots for the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima.”
The 2025 Games will follow the prosperous model of the inaugural edition held in Cali, Colombia, in 2021, where individual champions and top-performing countries in team sports were rewarded. Cuba, represented by 212 athletes, achieved an impressive fifth-place finish, securing 29 gold, 19 silver, and 22 bronze medals. Their victories were spread across various disciplines, including athletics, wrestling, boxing, diving, judo, canoeing, and table tennis.
Aiming for Gold: A Look Ahead to the 2025 Pan American Junior Games with Cuban Volleyball Legend, Mireya Luis
The anticipation is building as Cuban athletes gear up for the 2025 Pan American Junior Games in Asunción. With 54 qualifying spots already secured, the Cuban delegation is laser-focused on maximizing their representation at this prestigious event. To get a deeper understanding of the significance of these games and Cuba’s preparations,we sat down with volleyball icon and Olympic gold medalist,Mireya Luis.
“The Pan American Junior Games are incredibly important for Cuban sports,” Luis explained. “These Games provide a fantastic platform for our young athletes to gain international experience, test their skills against the best in the Americas, and pave the way for future Olympic success. It’s an exciting chance for them to grab the spotlight and showcase their talent on a global stage.”
We discussed the current strengths of the Cuban delegation. Volleyball, already boasting a strong presence with 24 athletes, is naturally a source of grate pride for Luis. “Volleyball has always been a beacon of excellence for Cuba, and it’s fantastic to see our young athletes taking the torch forward,” she said. “They have the potential to be remarkable and I believe they will make a strong showing in Asunción.”
Though, Luis also emphasized the importance of nurturing talent across diverse disciplines. “54 already secured spots are commendable,but let’s aim for more,” she said,echoing the sentiments of Cuban sports officials. “We have promising athletes in sports like canoeing, cycling, and handball.But disciplines like judo, weightlifting, and wrestling traditionally hold strong Cuban representation globally. We must ensure these sports capitalize on the open qualifying routes.”
Luis agrees with the Cuban sports authorities on the use of this event as a talent identifier for the 2028 los angeles Olympics. “This is a crucial stepping stone,” she remarked. “The Pan American Junior Games allows us to evaluate the potential of our young athletes, identify areas needing additional support, and map out their advancement journeys towards Olympic glory.”
Reader Interaction:
What are your thoughts on Cuba’s preparations for the 2025 Pan American Junior Games? Which sports do you think will shine brightest in Asunción? Do you agree that these games are invaluable for identifying future Olympic stars? Share your opinions in the comments below!
