The Cuban National Baseball5 Team, winners of the inaugural edition of the WBSC Baseball5 World Cup, has been named the Team of the Year in Cuba by the national specialized press and sport national institute. Cuba went undefeated in Mexico City last November to become the first ever world champions of Baseball5, which will make its Olympic debut at the Youth Olympic Games in 2026.
Cuba, who had an astonishing average of eight runs per match and a run differential of +127, dominated the tournament and was by the far the best team of the WBSC Baseball5 World Cup. They swept the nine games of the tournament, allowing less than one run per match (16 in 18 matches).
Cuban star Briandy Molina was unanimously voted as one of two WBSC Baseball5 World Cup MVPs, alongside Japan's Ayako Rokkaku, for his impressive leadership and motivational presence and trailblazing skill set, with Orlando Armador his trusty lieutenant.
The awards gala for the best Cuban athletes in 2022 will take place on December 22 and 23. During the ceremony, the Cuban Men’s National Softball Team will receive a special mention after their fifth-place finish in the XVII WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup in New Zealand.
The first ever WBSC Baseball5 World Cup will be followed by the Youth Baseball5 World Cup next year and a second edition of the Baseball5 World Cup in 2024.
