Cuba announces official team for World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025

HAVANA, Cuba, Sep 2 (ACN) Cuban Athletics Federation confirmed its 17-athlete team for the 2025 Tokyo World Championships, to be held from September 13 to 21.

With a presence in twelve events on the athletics program, Cuba's main star is jumper Leyanis Perez, a strong contender for the triple jump title.This event will see the return of Venezuelan reigning world champion Yulimar Rojas after more than 17 months out due to injury.

Leyanis, who bronzed at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, arrives with the season-leading time (SB 14.93) and her second title on the Diamond League circuit.

The delegation includes ten women and seven men, highlighting Anisleidis Ochoa's historic qualifier in the 5000 meters. The long-distance runner becomes the first Cuban to reach a world championship in this distance after her victory in the North, Central American and Caribbean Association of Athletics (NACAC) championship.

The Cuban team shows particular strength in the triple jump, with five high-level representatives.

In addition to Leyanis Perez, Liadagmis Povea (SB 14.84 m) will also compete, and the men will also include Lazaro Martinez (SB 17.34 m), Andy Hechavarria (SB 17.00 m), and Cristian Napoles (SB 16.90 m).

In the sprint events, Cuba will feature Roxana Gomez in the 400 meters (50.37 s), Daily Cooper in the 800 meters (1:58.39 s), and Greisys Roble in the 100 meters hurdles (12.71 s).

At the same time, young long jumper Jorge Odelin will participate with a mark of 8.34 meters, achieved at the National Junior Championships, held at the Rafael Fortun Athletics Stadium in Camagüey.

The throws will be represented by Silinda Morales in the discus (65.80 m), Mario Diaz (67.44 m), Melany Mateus (61.93 m), Ronald Mencia in the hammer (76.91 m), and shot put athletes Dianelis Delis (17.89 m) and Juan Carlos Vazquez (20.68 m).

Dacsy Bricson will complete the women's high jump team with a mark of 1.93 meters.