In brief
Cuba’s Baseball5 squad won the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, avenging an earlier group‑stage loss by beating Chinese Taipei 2‑0 in the final. They finished with a 5‑1 record and featured standout performance from third baseman Jean Carlos Machado, while team captain Lazaro Diaz praised the crew’s unity.
At the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, Cuba’s Baseball5 team captured the championship, defeating Chinese Taipei 2‑0 in the final on November 4, 2026.
The two‑set final ended 2‑1 in the first set and 7‑1 in the second, with the Cubans allowing only two runs—one in the second inning of each set—and surging ahead with three hits and an error in the third inning of the opener.
The victory avenged Cuba’s group‑stage loss to the same opponent and capped a tournament record of five wins and one loss.
In the opening set, the Cubans capitalized on the third inning, using three hits and an error to score the two runs that secured the win. In the second set, precise hitting produced five runs in the first inning, followed by an impenetrable defensive performance.
Strategically, the team focused on force‑out situations and handled rebounds off the perimeter wall with great skill, preventing Chinese Taipei from mounting a comeback.
Third baseman Jean Carlos Machado stood out at the plate, going 8‑for‑10, while the team’s defense remained near‑flawless, avoiding unnecessary throws and securing force‑outs throughout.
Team captain Lazaro Diaz told the digital newspaper Jit:
We are all very happy with this Olympic championship title, which included a victory in our rematch against Chinese Taipei. It took many days of training, but the group remained united throughout, and now we are reaping the rewards.
Cuba has held world titles in both senior and youth categories for Baseball5, and the Dakar success reinforces its dominance in the sport.
