In brief
Cuba captures Baseball5 gold at Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, beating Chinese Taipei 2‑0 in a 2‑1, 7‑1 final. The squad posted a 5‑1 record and highlighted star performance from Jean Carlos Machado.
In Dakar, Senegal, the Cuban Baseball5 team captured the Youth Olympic Games title on Nov. 4, 2026, beating Chinese Taipei 2‑0 in the final showdown. The set results were 2‑1 and 7‑1.
Cuba returned to the plate after a 2‑1 group‑stage loss to the same opponent, flipping the narrative by shutting down Chinese Taipei in both sets.
Defensively, the Cubans were nearly flawless, avoiding unnecessary throws, and consistently pursuing force‑outs. They handled rebounds off the perimeter wall with skill, leaving opponents without a clean batting chance.
In the first set, the Cubans scored two runs in the third inning, earning them the 2‑1 lead through three hits and an error.
The second set opened with five runs in the first inning, powered by precise hitting. The Cubans then shut out Chinese Taipei for the remainder of the game, finishing 7‑1.
Jean Carlos Machado, the Cuban third baseman, was the offensive star, posting an 8‑for‑10 performance that highlighted his hitting prowess.
Cuba finished the tournament with five wins and one loss, a record that topped all other teams and underscored their dominance in Baseball5.
Team captain Lazaro Diaz spoke about the victory.
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.
The win confirms Cuba’s Baseball5 strength, with world titles in senior and youth divisions already secured.
Victory at Dakar marks a season of hard practice and national pride, and it signals Baseball5’s growing influence worldwide.
