Cuban-born athlete Yulenmis Aguilar shattered the Spanish women's javelin throw record on Tuesday during the 2026 Mediterranean Games held in Taranto, Italy. Aguilar's impressive throw of 65.39 meters not only earned her a silver medal but also etched her name in the history books.
The remarkable throw was captured on video, which quickly went viral on social media. Commentary during the event highlighted the significance of the moment even before the official distance was confirmed. "What a throw. It's over 64 meters for Aguilar. She could be very close to her personal best of 64.17. She knows it's a great throw. It's a personal record of 65," one commentator remarked.
Aguilar's achievement surpassed the previous Spanish national record by 1.32 meters. This record, held by athlete known as Chilla since 2010, stood at 64.07 meters and remained unbeaten for 16 years.
Her throw also exceeded her own personal best of 64.17 meters, which she achieved in 2022 before becoming eligible to compete for Spain. This improvement of 1.22 meters makes Aguilar's performance a dual milestone: both a national record and a personal best in a single event.
From Cuba to Spain: Aguilar's Impact on Athletics
Born in Cuba, Aguilar gained eligibility to represent the Spanish national team in 2024, establishing herself as the greatest javelin thrower in Spanish athletic history based on official competition records.
Her performance in Taranto represents a broader trend of Cuban athletes who, after emigrating, become eligible to compete for other countries, notably Spain, across various track and field events. These athletes often significantly raise the national standards of their new teams, bringing with them technical expertise and competitive experience honed in Cuba's sports system.
A Historic Performance in Mediterranean Games
The women's javelin throw is an event where Spain has historically lacked a strong international presence, making Aguilar's result in Taranto even more significant. With her silver medal at the Mediterranean Games, Aguilar delivered one of the most memorable performances for Spanish athletics at the event.
The Mediterranean Games is a multi-sport competition that gathers countries from the Mediterranean basin. The 2026 edition is hosted by the Italian city of Taranto, following the previous games held in Oran, Algeria, in 2022. Aguilar not only secured a silver medal at this event but also inscribed her name in Spanish athletics records, with a mark that, given her demonstrated progress, could continue to improve in the coming years.
Yulenmis Aguilar's Historic Javelin Throw
What record did Yulenmis Aguilar break?
Yulenmis Aguilar broke the Spanish national record for women's javelin throw with a distance of 65.39 meters.
Where did Yulenmis Aguilar achieve this record?
Aguilar achieved this record during the 2026 Mediterranean Games held in Taranto, Italy.
How did Yulenmis Aguilar's throw compare to the previous record?
Her throw of 65.39 meters surpassed the previous record of 64.07 meters by 1.32 meters.
What was Aguilar's personal best before this event?
Before this event, Aguilar's personal best was 64.17 meters, which she achieved in 2022.