The newspaper ‘Juventud Rebelde’ says that federation officials registered 13 athletes for the competition, but “in the end, none showed up.”
14ymedio, Havana, November 8, 2026 – The defections of Jonathan Charón, Lianet Cardona, Dayanara Curbelo, and Orlando Polanco, who won four gold medals and two silver medals at the Florida Pan American Open, derailed the plans of the Cuban Judo and Jiu-Jitsu Federation. No team from the Island traveled to Canada for the Montreal Pan American Judo Open, which concludes this Monday.
“What is concerning is that Cuban judo continues to lose opportunities to compete internationally, gain experience, and earn important points for future competitions,” warned judo coach Alain Fernández Casero, who revealed details of the defections in Florida.
Fernández believes that Cuban athletes “need opportunities, stability, and sports planning that guarantees their future.”
Former Cuban wrestler Roly Dámaso points out on his social media accounts that behind every defection “there are years of training, family sacrifices, dreams, and aspirations that find no response within Cuba.”
In Dámaso’s view, “this is not about a lack of patriotism or ingratitude. It is about the right of any athlete to decide their own future, develop their talent, and receive decent compensation for their profession.”
Roly Dámaso points out that behind every defection “there are years of training, family sacrifices, dreams, and aspirations that find no response within Cuba”
The retired wrestler explains that “while in international sports, athletes sign professional contracts, receive sponsorships, build wealth, and secure their families’ futures. In Cuba they continue to be subjected to restrictions and administrative decisions that limit their development.”
The athletes’ departure was a major blow to the authorities. Of the six competitors who took part in the event, only world medalists and Gainesville champions Andy Granda and Iván Silva remained. They returned to the Island last Thursday, journalist Raúl Rodríguez reported on his social media accounts.
As is common with this type of defection, sports authorities have maintained a wall of silence. However, the newspaper Juventud Rebelde reported that federation officials had registered 13 judokas for the Montreal competition, but “in the end, none showed up.”
The same newspaper regretted that the decision would leave the other judokas without competition: Amado Montes, Rubén Romero, Anisleidys Ur, Yainet Coronado, and Marlon Herrera.
The Montreal Pan American Judo Open awards points toward qualification in the International Judo Federation rankings, as well as for the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Translated by Regina Anavy
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