Taekwondo: A Tradition of Discipline and Excellence at the Central American and Caribbean Games

Every match reflects years of effort, discipline and determination. Since its inclusion in the official program of the Central American and Caribbean Games at Ponce 1993, taekwondo has established itself as one of the event’s most exciting sports, where talent, respect and competitive spirit come together to create new stories on the tatami.

Throughout its history at the Games, taekwondo has become one of the region’s fastest-growing sports. Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Colombia have produced some of the discipline’s most memorable performances, establishing themselves among its leading nations while contributing to an increasingly competitive and technically demanding level of competition.

Taekwondo’s legacy has also been shaped by athletes whose achievements extended well beyond the regional stage. Cuba’s Rafael Alba Castillo, a world champion and multiple international medalist; Mexico’s María del Rosario Espinoza, Olympic champion at Beijing 2008 and three-time Olympic medalist; Mexico’s Carlos Sansores, a World Championships medalist; the Dominican Republic’s Bernardo Pie, bronze medalist at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games; the Dominican Republic’s Luisito Pie, bronze medalist at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games; and Puerto Rico’s Victoria Stambaugh, one of the region’s leading female taekwondo athletes, are among the figures who have left a lasting mark on the sport.

At the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026, taekwondo will once again take center stage with the participation of 164 athletes, evenly divided between 82 men and 82 women. More than 20 countries from across the region will be represented, including Mexico, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama and Honduras. Competition will take place from July 25 to 28 at Combat Hall No. 2 of the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Centre, where the region’s top taekwondo athletes will compete for gold and regional supremacy.

Beyond the medals, taekwondo embodies the values of perseverance, respect and discipline, where character is valued as highly as victory itself. At Santo Domingo 2026, a new generation of athletes will have the opportunity to build upon the legacy of those who shaped the sport’s history and prove that true success begins long before stepping onto the podium.

By: Cintia Sanchez – Centro Caribe Sports Press