With a renewed sense of purpose, Cuba is set to send nine wrestlers to the World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, running from October 24 to November 1. The team aims to improve upon their previous disappointing performance on the global stage.
As confirmed by Martín Torres, the national wrestling commissioner, in a statement to the sports newspaper JIT, the Cuban delegation will comprise four Greco-Roman wrestlers, two male freestyle competitors, and three female freestyle athletes.
Greco-Roman Team's Global Contenders
Leading the Greco-Roman squad is the esteemed coach Mario Olivera, who brings with him two world-renowned athletes. Luis Orta (67 kg), an Olympic champion from Tokyo 2020 and world titleholder in Belgrade 2023, is at the forefront. Joining him is Gabriel Rosillo (97 kg), another world champion and a bronze medalist from the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The Greco-Roman team is rounded out by Kevin de Armas (63 kg) and Daniel Gregorich (87 kg), both of whom have claimed Central American and Caribbean titles.
Freestyle Men's Aspirations
The male freestyle wrestling team, under the guidance of coach Jesús Rodríguez, features Arturo Silot (97 kg), a two-time Central American and Caribbean champion, including the Santo Domingo 2026 Games. Alongside him is Geannis Garzón (74 kg), who boasts a bronze medal from the Under-23 World Championships. Garzón's recent victory at an international tournament in May bolsters his potential for a podium finish in Astana.
Women's Freestyle Team's Ambitions
Overseeing the women's freestyle team is the seasoned coach Filiberto Delgado. The team is led by Milaimy Marín (76 kg), who secured a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. She is joined by Yaynelis Sanz (55 kg), a two-time junior Pan-American champion, and Greilis Bencosme (50 kg), who clinched gold at the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games.
The Cuban team faces a challenging backdrop; their last World Championship outing in Zagreb 2025 saw them finish 27th overall, with Marín's bronze as their sole medal. This result was a stark departure from Cuba's storied history in wrestling.
The event's location has also been fraught with changes. Initially set to take place in Bahrain, the International Wrestling Federation announced a move to Astana in May.
With a roster boasting Olympic and world championship experience, Cuba's wrestling team heads to Kazakhstan determined to reclaim their international standing and leave the setbacks of Zagreb behind.
Key Questions About Cuba's Wrestling Team for Astana
Who are the leading figures in Cuba's Greco-Roman wrestling team?
The leading figures are Luis Orta, an Olympic champion and world titleholder, and Gabriel Rosillo, another world champion and Olympic bronze medalist.
What recent successes have the Cuban freestyle wrestlers achieved?
Arturo Silot is a two-time Central American and Caribbean champion, while Geannis Garzón recently won a bronze medal at the Under-23 World Championships and a gold at an international tournament in May.
What challenges did the Cuban wrestling team face in previous world championships?
In the 2025 World Championships in Zagreb, Cuba finished in 27th place with only one bronze medal, marking a significant decline from their historical performance in wrestling.