Cuban Baseball5 Team

Switzerland, Oct 16 (PL) Cuba moved up to number one in the world ranking after winning the Baseball5 World Cup held this month in Hong Kong, China, the World Baseball and Softball Confederation (WBSC) announced today.

By defending their crown from the first 2022 edition in Mexico, the Cubans added 1,380 points in the overall list to reach 1,920 this season and a total of 4,327 in the last four years, to displace China Taipei (4,113).

The WBSC reports that the Japanese, runners-up in both editions, equalized their record of third place (last achieved on August 22, 2023), while France, bronze medalists in Hong Kong, managed to maintain their position in fourth place.

Tunisia, which was in third place, dropped to fifth after finishing seventh, while Mexico moved up two places to sixth, the same position they obtained in this World Cup.

Cuba finished undefeated in the tournament after sweeping the Japan, the only team that could snatch a set from them in the entire competition during the qualifying phase.

The boys coached by Pablo Terry reached the final after defeating Lithuania, South Africa, Venezuela and Hong Kong in the group stage and defeating Japan, Mexico, and France in the decisive round.

Cuban players Haila González and Briandy Molina were chosen as the tournament's Most Valuable Players, the latter for the second consecutive time.