Cuban judoka Dayle Ojeda has shared the story of her defection from the Cuban delegation at the Paris Olympics, just hours before the event's opening ceremony. Currently residing in Valencia, Spain, Dayle disclosed to El Mundo that she had contemplated leaving multiple times due to the lack of competitive opportunities and the numerous training challenges in Cuba.
"From May 6 to July 26 this year, I was in Paris assisting my fellow Cuban judokas who qualified for the Olympics. On the day of the opening ceremony, as I arrived at the airport to return to Havana, I separated from the group," she recounted. "I was anxious, constantly looking over my shoulder to see if anyone was following me. Fortunately, some friends picked me up at the airport. I then took a bus to Barcelona, stayed there for a few days with a friend, and eventually made my way to Valencia, where Ayumi was waiting for me," she explained. She referred to her colleague Ayumi Leiva, who had left the Cuban team in 2021 and now resides in Valencia, training with a focus on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Challenges in Cuban Judo
Ojeda competes in the over 78-kilogram category, the same as the renowned Idalys Ortiz, a four-time Olympic medalist, which made it difficult for her to advance. "More athletes travel to the Olympics, but for other competitions, only top Cuban judokas, maybe three or four, get to go. There were no resources, no way to build a sports career, and I couldn't sustain myself financially. I earned a minimum wage that wasn't enough for basic necessities, and my parents had to support me. I had only two options: leave Cuba or quit the sport," she asserted.
Achievements and Future Aspirations
Despite the training limitations, the 31-year-old judoka earned silver medals at two editions of the Pan American Open in Varadero, won a National Championship, placed fourth at the 2017 Pan American Championship, and competed in the Grand Slam events in Paris and Düsseldorf. With Ayumi's support, Dayle now trains at the Centro Especializado de Alto Rendimiento (CEAR) in Benimaclet, where she has experienced the superior level of Spanish judo, incomparable to that of Cuba. "I've only been here two months, but I feel I've improved more than ever before in my life," she remarked.
Dayle has left her mother in Cuba, and although she communicates daily with her, her sister, and her nephews, "it's not the same as seeing them in person." She has yet to regularize her status, as the nationalization process is challenging, but her athletic achievements could be an asset. She is preparing to compete in the Spanish Championship in December, taking advantage of the absence of Olympic or world-class athletes in her weight category. The Valencian Judo Federation has offered her a spot in their residence and provides financial support.
"Right now, my motivation is to give my best and be ready when my opportunity comes. I would love to compete in the upcoming Olympics and give back to Spain for all the support I've received," she concluded.