By Winning Eight Gold Medals at the Central American and Caribbean Games, Panama Surpassed the Five-Gold-Medal Barrier.

Although the number of participating athletes and sports has varied in the different editions of the Central American and Caribbean Games, the performance of the Panamanian delegation in Santo Domingo 2026 (Dominican Republic) has been positive, and now it is time to think about the Pan American Games in Lima 2027.  The record of 5 gold medals was surpassed, a record that had stood for 56 years, achieved when our country hosted the event in 1970 —in what we now know as the Irving Saladino Sports City, located in Juan Díaz—.  Let us remember that the barrier of 5 gold medals was equaled in San Salvador 2023, but in the Dominican Republic event it was surpassed by reaching a total of 8 gold medals. 

Panama climbed to the top of the podium with Nemesis Candelo (judo), Ashley Castillo (chess), Gianna Woodruff (athletics —who also set a games record in the 400 meters hurdles—) and Didier Rodriguez (athletics) who set a new national record in the 3,000 meters steeplechase.  For her part, gymnast Alyiah Lide De León became one of the main figures of the delegation by winning two gold medals in the floor exercise and the balance beam event, in addition to the silver medal for the women’s team.  Baseball also made history as a team sport by winning the gold medal for the first time at these games, which puts Alberto Macré in a special place among the managers in charge of a national team. 

Macré, who was a three-time champion in major baseball with Chiriquí, champion with Bocas del Toro and three-time youth champion with Chiriquí, now adds the first gold for Panama in a Central American and Caribbean Games.  At the baseball level, only the 2003 world runner-up title, achieved under the direction of Omar Moreno, surpasses what the national team has done in Santo Domingo 2026.  Continuing with the gold medals and new disciplines, the work of Jhonnatan Mora stands out, who won the gold medal for Panama in eFootball.  The 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games featured 37 countries and at least 6,200 athletes competing in 40 sports and 56 disciplines.  Mexico led the overall medal count with 167 gold, 125 silver and 115 bronze medals, for a total of 407 medals.

Among the Best in Central America:

Panama competed with a delegation of 218 athletes in 27 disciplines and 39 modalities, achieving a total of 24 medals (8 gold, 8 silver and 8 bronze).  At the Central American level, it was only surpassed by Guatemala, which obtained 18 golds, 32 silvers and 44 bronzes (94 in total).  El Salvador ranked third regionally with 6 gold medals, 4 silver medals and 14 bronze medals (24 in total).  Following their success in the Dominican Republic, Panamanian athletes must now focus and prepare for the Lima 2027 Pan American Games, which will be held from July 23 to August 8 of next year.