SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC — Costa Rica celebrated its first gold medal at the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games thanks to a brilliant performance by 18-year-old taekwondo athlete Jaycee Bassett, who triumphed in the women’s -46 kg category.
Bassett reached the top of the podium after convincingly defeating Mexico’s Fernanda Hernández 2-0 in a high-stakes final that confirmed the young athlete’s exceptional competitive momentum.
The victory marks the first gold medal for the Costa Rican delegation in this edition of the regional games.
“Every match was a demonstration of character, discipline, and talent. Today, that effort is rewarded with a gold medal for Costa Rica. At just 18 years old, Jaycee continues to write a story that inspires an entire nation.”
— Costa Rican National Olympic Committee
🏆 Sunday Tournament Highlights
Gold Medal (-46 kg): Jaycee Bassett (CRC) defeated Fernanda Hernández (MEX) 2-0
Bronze Medal (-53 kg): Laura Sancho (CRC) defeated Erika Narváez (NCA)
Event: Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026
Double Podium Day for Costa Rican Taekwondo
The Sunday session brought additional success for the Costa Rican delegation with a bronze medal earned by Laura Sancho in the women’s -53 kg category.
Sancho secured her spot on the podium after defeating Nicaragua’s Erika Narváez, ensuring Costa Rica added two medals to its tally in a single day.
With these achievements, taekwondo once again proves to be a reliable source of success for Costa Rica as national athletes continue competing to expand the country’s medal count in Santo Domingo.
