Central America and the Caribbean Shine in World Athletics in 2025

The year 2025 will go down in athletics history for Central America and the Caribbean as one of the most successful ever, marked by medals, historic performances, and major sporting milestones.
From the track to the jumping pits and throwing fields, athletes from our countries and territories left their mark on global and regional competitions, delivering outstanding performances that confirm a golden era for Caribbean and Central American athletics.

World Athletics Championships — Tokyo 2025

The World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, held from 13 to 22 September, provided the stage for remarkable achievements by our representatives. The medal haul included unforgettable victories and performances that will resonate in the history books of regional sport.

Historic Victories and Podiums
Leyanis Pérez (Cuba) dominated the women’s triple jump, claiming the world title with a leap of 14.94 m on September 18, capping an impeccable season and posting one of the best marks of 2025.

In the same event, Thea LaFond (Dominica) captured silver with 14.89 m, while Yulimar Rojas (Venezuela), returning after a long injury layoff, secured the bronze with 14.76 m.

Jamaica once again ruled the sprints:
• Oblique Seville was crowned world champion in the men’s 100 m with 9.77 s.
• Kishane Thompson earned silver in 9.82 s.
• Tina Clayton claimed silver in the women’s 100 m with 10.76 s.

In the javelin throw, Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad and Tobago) achieved a historic gold medal with 88.16 m, the first world title for his country in this event.

Silver Medals That Made History
Marileidy Paulino (Dominican Republic) shone in the women’s 400 m, clocking 47.98 s to earn silver in one of the most fiercely contested races of the championships.

These performances confirmed that the region not only competes with the world’s major powers, but also sets trends and delivers elite-level rivalry on the global circuit.

Marks and Records Elevating Regional Athletics

Beyond medals, several athletes broke personal and national barriers:
• Roxana Gómez (Cuba) set a new national record in the women’s 400 m with 49.48 s in Tokyo.
• Anisleidis Ochoa (Cuba) established a new Cuban record in the 5,000 m with 15:31.35.

These results highlight the region’s competitive growth, with performances increasingly approaching world elite standards.

NACAC Championships 2025 — Bahamas

The 2025 NACAC Championships, held in August in Grand Bahama, were another major highlight of the athletics calendar:
• Handal Roban (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) was crowned men’s 800 m champion with an outstanding 1:42.87, setting a new championship record.
• Jamaica reaffirmed its regional dominance with multiple gold medals, including victories in discus, hurdles, and sprint events.

Standout performances such as Jonielle Smith (Jamaica) in the 100 m and several national and championship records showcased the athletic potential of both emerging and established talents across the region.

Youth Athletics Soars in Asunción 2025: The New Caribbean and Central American Generation Leaves Its Mark

While world athletics thrilled with performances in Tokyo and the Bahamas, the 2nd Pan American Junior Games Asunción 2025 (held from 18 to 22 August in Paraguay) confirmed that Central America and the Caribbean not only dominate at senior level, but are also building a powerful next generation.

The track and field at the Paraguayan Olympic Park Athletics Stadium became the stage for historic marks, competition records, and championship performances that outline the future of Pan American athletics.

Speed with Records
Sprint events took center stage from the opening rounds.
In the men’s 200 m, José Figueroa (Puerto Rico) stopped the clock at 20.16 seconds, setting a new Games record and claiming gold.

In the women’s 200 m, Liranyi Alonso (Dominican Republic) dazzled with 22.69 s, also breaking the Games record and earning a memorable gold medal.

The 100 m delivered further excitement, with Shaniqua Bascombe (Trinidad and Tobago) taking women’s gold in 11.19 s, while Alonso continued her strong showing with a notable silver medal in 11.40 s.

Jumps, Throws, and Technical Events at a High Level
Field events also impressed. In the women’s long jump, Natalia Linares (Colombia) soared to 6.92 m, a mark that secured gold in Asunción and came close to her national record.

Beyond the track, the javelin throw stood out as another moment of continental significance, with performances that demonstrated strength, technique, and competitive depth.

Middle and Long Distance Excellence
Caribbean and Central American versatility was also evident in endurance events.
Dafne Juárez (Mexico) claimed gold in the women’s 5,000 m with 15:51.27, breaking the Games record and showcasing dominance over long distances.

In race walking, Karla Serrano (Mexico) set a strong pace in the women’s 20,000 m, winning convincingly and reinforcing Mexico’s strength in technical endurance events.

Relays and Combined Events Reflecting Depth
Relay events added excitement and teamwork to the program. Colombia’s men’s 4×100 m relay surprised with a time of 38.99 s, defeating traditional powers and adding another gold medal for the team.

Semifinals and finals in other technical events—such as the women’s 100 m hurdles—also produced medals and progress for athletes from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and other nations in the region.

2025: A Season for the History Books

From Tokyo to the Bahamas, Central American and Caribbean athletics left an indelible mark in 2025. The quality of competition, depth of talent, and diversity of events featuring regional podium finishes reflect sustained progress that promises even greater moments in the years ahead.

The results of the Pan American Junior Games further confirmed that the region not only maintains its tradition of excellence, but is also developing a new wave of talent ready to shine on the senior stage.

From jumps that defy physics to sprints that stop the clock and throws that command global attention, our athletes have reaffirmed that the Caribbean and Central America are synonymous with speed, strength, and sporting excellence.

Centro Caribe Sports celebrates these achievements and congratulates all the protagonists who thrilled the region and the world with their determination, skill, and passion for athletics in 2025.