Cuban Team Announced for Nations Fronton League

The Cuban Basque Pelota Federation has presented its national team for the inaugural 30-Meter Fronton Nations League, a qualifying event for the 2026 World Championship in Argentina.

The tournament will be held from October 19 to 25 at the Club Campestre in Aguascalientes, Mexico, and will bring together players from 21 countries.

The Cuban pelotaris will compete in the individual rubber ball paddle event and in doubles frontenis, in both the women's and men's categories.

Daniela Darriba will once again lead the island's women's team. The athlete from Havana brings an extensive record of achievements, including three world medals and two Pan American silver medals.

Completing the women's roster is Guantanamo's Wendy Durán, a world bronze medalist and a two-time continental silver medalist.

The men's team is led by the experienced Alejandro González. The Havana native possesses a U-22 world bronze medal and a medal of the same color obtained at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima.

Also appearing in the group is the young athlete from Villa Clara, Yoan Martínez, who will make his debut in senior-level tournaments.

The coaching staff traveling to Mexican territory will be Alejandro Placer, in charge of the women's team, and Hilda Elena Pita, who will command the men's national team.

The president of the Cuban federation of the discipline, Lázaro Mendoza Simón, assured JIT that both teams aim to qualify in at least one of the two modalities, although the highest hopes rest on the frontenis events.

Following the conclusion of the Nations League, the four players and coach Placer will remain in Mexico until November 24.

There, they will participate in stages of the pre-Olympic professional frontenis circuit, having been invited by the organizing committee of the nations tournament.

This opportunity will form part of the critical competitive pathway leading up to next year's international commitments.

Mendoza Simón also shared that racquetball player Christhian Menéndez will depart for Monterrey on October 14.

The 16-year-old player received a special invitation to attend a tournament organized by multiple world and Pan American champion Paola Longoria.

Despite his age, Menéndez will compete in the tournament in the elite category's singles and doubles modalities.

The experience will contribute to his preparation for the 2025 Racquetball World Championship in Santo Domingo, scheduled for next December, where he will go to defend his world junior title.