Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – Olympic and world 400-meter titleholder Marileidy Paulino has delivered a dominant preliminary performance at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, booking her place in the women’s 400-meter final on the first day of semifinal action this Tuesday.
Competing in front of a packed, cheering hometown crowd at Félix Sánchez Stadium, located within the capital’s Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center, the sprinter – widely nicknamed the “Gazelle of Don Gregorio” for her effortless speed and agility – claimed victory in her semifinal heat with a solid time of 50.63 seconds. The result was more than enough to secure her advancement, and cements her position as the undisputed favorite to claim the regional games’ gold medal when the final kicks off.
Paulino’s performance lit up the venue, as she pulled away from the field coming off the final bend before easing through the closing straight with the signature poise that has made her a global star. She crossed the finish line with a comfortable gap over the rest of her competitors, sending the local audience into cheers.
Trailing behind Paulino in her heat, Shafigua Maloney of St. Vincent and the Grenadines secured the second qualifying spot with a time of 51.22 seconds, while Andrea Rivera of Puerto Rico took third place in 51.78 seconds to round out the heat’s advancing runners.