Puerto Rico adds 5 medals at Central American Games

Sairy Colón won a silver medal in judo after advancing to the finals in the -78 kilogram category. Colón lost the gold medal match to Colombia’s Brenda Olaya.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rico delegation added five medals on Monday, and several teams advanced to the finals at the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo 2026.

In judo, Sairy Colón and Derik Rodríguez won silver medals after advancing to the finals in the -78 kilogram (kg) and -90 kg categories, respectively. Colón lost the gold medal match to Colombia’s Brenda Olaya, while Rodríguez finished in second place after falling to the Dominican Republic’s Robert Florentino.

The island delegation earned another three medals in taekwondo. Adrián Benítez won silver in the -74 kg category, while Andrea Delgado (-57 kg) and Isuangelis Soto (-62 kg) finished with bronze medals.

In team sports, the men’s volleyball team defeated Guatemala 3-1, completing the group stage undefeated with a 3-0 record and securing a direct spot in the semifinals.

The men’s beach volleyball duo also remained undefeated by beating Saint Kitts and Nevis in straight sets, improving to 2-0 in Group C.

The women’s softball team secured its second mercy-rule victory by defeating the Dominican Republic 16-1, bringing its preliminary round record to 2-0.

In women’s basketball, Puerto Rico defeated Panama 70-61, improving to 2-0 and staying in contention for a semifinal berth.

In surfing, Mariecarmen Rivera and Nimsay García advanced to the women’s SUP Surf final, guaranteeing Puerto Rico both the gold and silver medals in that event. Additionally, Jazmine Dean qualified for the women’s longboard final, Emilia Huminiski will compete for the bronze medal, and Max Torres will vie for third place in the men’s shortboard event.

In tennis, Yannik Álvarez will play for the bronze medal in men’s singles and, alongside Leonardo Vega II, will also compete for third place in men’s doubles.

In archery, Jean Pizarro advanced to the semifinals of the men’s individual compound event and remains in contention to defend the title he won at San Salvador 2023.

In golf, María Fernanda Torres Martínez finished the third round in second place in the women’s division, while Jerónimo José Esteve climbed to ninth place in the men’s standings heading into the final round.