Allanis Navas and María González Win Back-to-Back CAC Games
Women’s Beach Volleyball Titles
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, July 31, 2026. – Puerto
Rico’s Allanis Navas and María González successfully defended
their Central American and Caribbean Games women’s beach
volleyball title, defeating Cuba’s Maykelin Drik and Kailin
Garrido 2-1 (21-16, 18-21, 18-16) in a spectacular gold medal
match at the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games Santo
Domingo 2026.
The victory earned Navas and González their second consecutive
Central American and Caribbean Games gold medal after also
winning in San Salvador 2023. The triumph also gave Puerto Rico
its second women's beach volleyball gold medal in Games history,
with both titles captured by the outstanding duo. Cuba added its
second silver medal to complement its three gold medals.
After taking the opening set, the Puerto Ricans were forced into
a decider by the resilient Cuban pair before prevailing 18-16 in
the tie-break to retain the regional crown.
Earlier in the semifinals, Navas and González defeated the host
team of Crismil Paniagua and Julibeth Payano 2-0 (21-15, 21-14),
while Drik and Kailin rallied past Mexico's Susana Torres and
Abril Flores 2-1 (21-18, 16-21, 15-7).
Mexico claimed the bronze medal as Torres and Flores earned a
convincing 2-0 (21-15, 21-11) victory over Paniagua and Payano.
The podium finish marked a second consecutive Central American
and Caribbean Games bronze medal for Abril Flores, who also
reached the podium at San Salvador 2023. Mexico now owns three
gold, two silver and two bronze medals in the history of the
women's tournament.
Venezuela's Valeria Moreno and Darlin Rodríguez finished fifth
after defeating Nicaragua's Socorro López and Lolette Rodríguez
2-0 (21-10, 21-11).
Guatemala's Paola Alvarado and Naomi Monney placed seventh with
a 2-0 (21-13, 22-20) victory over El Salvador's Karla Tovar and
Daniela Vigil.
Final standings:
1.
PUR, 2. CUB, 3. MEX, 4.
DOM, 5. VEN, 6.
NCA, 7. GUA, 8. ESA, 9.
CRC, 10. HON, 11. BIZ, 12. VER, 13. ISV, 14. TTO, 15. MQE, 16.
JAM, 17. CAY, 18. GRN, 19. SKN