The Cuban Baseball5 team defeated Kenya 2-0 in the semifinal. Advancing to tomorrow’s final at the fourth edition of the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar 2026. A multi-sport event that will conclude on November 13th in the Senegalese capital.
After also defeating France 2-0 (3-2 and 5-1) in the quarterfinals this Monday. The Cubans secured a spot in the title match by overcoming the Kenyans with set scores of 14-7 and 11-1.
The mixed team from the largest of the Antilles now awaits the winner of the other semifinal match, between Chinese Taipei and Mexico. This Sunday, Cuba fell 0–2 to the team from Chinese Taipei in a clash between undefeated sides in Group A (with set scores of 3–5 and 4–5). This followed their 2–0 victories over Turkey (6–0 and 3–2) and the hosts (17–0 and 13–0).
With these results, the mixed team from Cuba—a two-time world champion—failed to secure a direct path to the semifinals. An achievement managed by Chinese Taipei, the current world runners-up.
The other four teams in the competition—France, Mexico, Kenya, and Syria—make up Group B.
According to the announced schedule, with matches taking place at the Stade Abdoulaye Wade in Diamniadio. Also the winners of each group will advance directly to the semifinals. While the second- and third-place finishers will compete in the quarterfinals.
The second-place team from Group A will face the third-place team from Group B. While the second-place team from Group B will play against the third-place team from Group A.
Furthermore the quarterfinals and semifinals will be held on November 2nd. The final day, scheduled for tomorrow, November 3rd, will begin with placement matches, followed by the medal rounds.
Cuba is participating in Dakar with 12 athletes: eight in Baseball5 (fresh off a Pan American Junior title in Barquisimeto), three in track and field, and one in judo.
The track and field representatives are Adriana González (discus), Daniselis Reyes (high jump), and Vanessa Velazco (200-meter sprint). In judo, Kayla Lazaret Pita will compete in the +78kg category. She is set to face Australian Hannah McHenry. A winner at the 2025 European Junior and Cadet Cups in her opening bout this Tuesday.
Across the three previous editions—in which it participated with larger delegations of athletes and sports. Cuba has accumulated 30 medals: 19 gold, 4 silver, and 7 bronze, placing it tenth overall.
In Singapore 2010, Cuba finished in fifth place (9-3-2). in Nanjing 2014, in 35th (2-1-1); and in Buenos Aires 2018, in 16th (4-0-2).
The all-time medal table is led by China, with 152 medals (86 gold, 38 silver, 28 bronze). Followed by Russia (159/74-51-34), mixed teams (184/61-59-64), Japan (115/45-38-32), Hungary (86/36-24-26), Italy (108/34-37-37). Ukraine (92/26-31-35), the United States (79/26-24-29), France (89/24-35-30), Australia (81/20-31-30), and Cuba (30/19-4-7), in that order.
Organizers have announced the participation of 1,700 athletes—1,350 men and 1,350 women. Aged 15 to 17, representing 200 countries and competing across 25 disciplines.
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