Reports have surfaced that Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzmán López, an Olympic silver medalist in the 50-kilogram category at the Paris 2024 Games, may have left the national team during a stopover in Mexico while en route to Brazil.
The initial report came from former Cuban wrestler and sports commentator Roly Dámaso on Facebook. The story was subsequently picked up by the sports news outlet Swing Completo.
"Sources inform me that she may have 'left' Team Cuba and remained in Mexico during their transit to Brazil," Dámaso wrote in a Facebook post.
Dámaso claims to have received this information from three separate sources, suggesting that Guzmán, affectionately known as "La Chiqui," decided to stay in Mexico, parting ways with the Cuban delegation.
In his post, Dámaso highlighted the circumstances driving Cuban athletes to seek opportunities beyond the island, defending their right to make decisions about their professional futures.
Swing Completo echoed the news but noted the lack of confirmed details regarding the situation.
As of now, there has been no official statement from the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER) or the Cuban wrestling federation about the incident.
No public remarks from the athlete herself have been released to clarify the circumstances of her alleged departure.
Yusneylis Guzmán: A Trailblazer in Cuban Wrestling
Known as "La Chiqui," Guzmán made history as the first Cuban woman to win an Olympic medal in wrestling, earning silver at the Paris 2024 Games. In that competition, she triumphed over Turkey's Evin Demirhan 7-6 and Lithuania's Gabija Dilytė 10-0. Despite a 0-5 semifinal loss to India's Vinesh Phogat, Guzmán reached the final after her opponent was disqualified for failing to meet weight requirements.
She ultimately lost 3-0 to American Sarah Hildebrandt in the gold medal match, securing a historic silver for Cuba.
Her international career is decorated with titles from the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, and the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador, along with silver medals from Veracruz 2014 and Lima 2019.
For her athletic achievements, Guzmán was honored as Cuba's best female athlete of 2024. In March 2025, INDER awarded her a car as recognition for her performance.
Other Cuban Athletes Departing from Delegations
Guzmán's alleged departure follows a pattern of Cuban athletes leaving their delegations during international competitions or travels.
In October 2026, weightlifters Yeniuska Mirabal and Yorelvis Machado departed from the Cuban team gathering in Tepic, Mexico, prior to the Pan American qualifier for Lima 2027.
Similarly, wrestler Jaime Lobio Hernández separated from the Cuban delegation in Mexico in April 2025.
Currently, it's unclear if Guzmán remains in Mexico, her current status, or whether she plans to continue her wrestling career outside of Cuba.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yusneylis Guzmán's Situation
What are the current details regarding Yusneylis Guzmán's alleged departure from the Cuban team?
As of now, there are no confirmed details from official sources about Yusneylis Guzmán's situation or her decision to reportedly leave the Cuban wrestling team.
Has Yusneylis Guzmán made any public statements about her status?
There have been no public statements from Yusneylis Guzmán regarding her alleged decision to remain in Mexico and her future plans in wrestling.
What impact does this have on Cuban sports?
The departure of high-profile athletes like Yusneylis Guzmán may reflect broader issues within Cuban sports, leading athletes to seek better opportunities abroad.