In an atmosphere of camaraderie, joy, and celebration, Santo Domingo delivered a memorable Centennial Central American and Caribbean Games, where participating stars captured the spirit of the regional multi-sport showcase.
The Dominican Republic delivered a historic performance, earning 150 medals (46 gold, 37 silver, and 67 bronze) and rising to the occasion as host nation.
From flag bearer Marileidy Paulino to top gold medalist Liranyi Alonso, alongside the "Reinas del Caribe" volleyball team and Dominican boxers, local athletes electrified packed venues filled with cheering fans supporting their heroes.
Mexico arrived with the largest delegation, and true to its legacy as a founding member of the Games, led the medal table from day one, surpassing 400 total medals (167 gold, 125 silver, and 115 bronze). Swimmer Celia Pulido shone brightest, leading all athletes at the Games with eight gold medals, one silver, and two bronze.
The Mexican squad featured prominent stars from the current Olympic cycle, delighting fans with dominant performances by divers Osmar Olvera and Juan Celaya, cyclist Yarelis Acevedo, and veteran archer Alejandra Valencia.
Colombia reinforced its steady rise from recent editions, finishing second overall with 266 medals (91 gold, 98 silver, and 77 bronze)—its second-highest tally in history, behind only the 270 won on home soil at Barranquilla 2018.
Highlighting a successful generational shift, figures such as gymnast Ángel Gabriel Barajas and world champion bowler María José Rodríguez Ospina stood out, claiming four gold titles and a silver apiece.
The Colombian team competed in 34 sports in Santo Domingo, taking home gold in 24 of them and reaching the podium in six others, missing out on medals only in badminton, basketball, baseball, and softball.
Although winning fewer gold medals than in San Salvador, Cuba maintained its position among the elite of Central American and Caribbean sports, finishing third on the medal table with 51 gold, 48 silver, and 56 bronze medals.
The Cuban delegation once again demonstrated its prowess in disciplines such as wrestling, handball, field hockey, and beach volleyball.
On an individual level, rowers Reidy Carmana and Leduar Suárez, alongside canoeists Yarisleidys Cirilo and José Ramón Pelier, secured three titles each.
Six other Cuban athletes earned two gold medals, including cyclist Marlies Mejías, who claimed Cuba's first gold of the Games in Santo Domingo.
Still recovering from the impact of the June 24 earthquakes, Venezuela finished fourth overall at the Central American and Caribbean Games, taking home 49 gold, 70 silver, and 97 bronze medals for a total of 216.
The Venezuelan squad fell just two gold titles short of Cuba and surpassed its performance from San Salvador 2023, where it also finished fourth with 32 gold, 46 silver, and 80 bronze.
In the Dominican capital, weightlifting led the Venezuelan campaign with 11 gold medals, while shooting sports contributed four, and boxing, canoeing, fencing, judo, and wrestling secured three gold medals each.
Caracas officially presented its bid to host the 2030 Games, which would mark the third time Venezuela hosts the regional event, following the 1959 Games in the capital and Maracaibo in 1998.
Out of 37 participating nations, 20 reached the top of the podium at least once, while only six finished without earning a single medal at the regional showcase.
The top 10 nations remained identical to those at San Salvador 2023, with just one shift: Panama (8-8-8) moved from tenth to eighth place, displacing Trinidad and Tobago (6-5-10) and El Salvador (6-4-14).
The Centennial celebration brought together many of the region's powerhouse sporting nations, highlighting a century-old tradition that continues to inspire and unite the peoples of the Caribbean and Central America.
(Taken from Prensa Latina)
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