Johan Silot: a Cuban judoka champion of the United States

Johan Silot ended up in his native country with many emotions. He represented the United States at the 2024 Varadero Open Judo. After three years, he returned to Cuba, this time as an official member of the nation that welcomed him. Would he do well in the competition? What would he feel if he faced the island’s judokas? Could he medal in the 81 kilogram division?

All these questions went through the mind of the judoka, who started the competition in the seaside resort of Matanzas on good terms. From the start, he fell bye in the first round and was one of two exponents in the 81 kilogram class who did not have to compete so early in the morning.

In the final of group C he defeated Yaddik Kindelán. In the semi-finals he would have a serious rival, Canadian David Popovici, bronze medalist at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago. Still, he overcame the difficult obstacle to secure his place in the final.

In the gold medal discussion he defeated Cuban Naysdel Cardoso and won the title in a weight category in which Cuba currently has no representatives with great international results. Nevertheless, and as a curious fact, the entire division podium at the Varadero Open consisted of athletes from the island: Maikel McKenzie and Rubén Romero took the bronze medals.

The image of Silot at the top of the event, before other Cubans, inevitably made us wonder whether the judoka could have been the island’s first figure in this weight. But in martial arts, as in life, assumptions are worthless.

Procedure

The victory at the Varadero Open was his first international title. The 21-year-old from Havana won the bronze medal at the Pan American and Oceania tournament in September 2023, and at the Montreal Open in November of the same year. A few months earlier he had finished in seventh place at the Junior European Cup in Slovgenc Gradec, Slovenia, and at the Junior European Cup in Birmingham, England.

The race has only just begun for ‘El Jabao’, a Cuban under the American flag. With a joy that washed over him, like a child, he agreed to join in the conversation InCuba about his short career. Johan could only laugh about it, perhaps still nervous, but he left us his impressions:

When did you start judo?

When I was 7 years old, with coach César, in Marianao. Later I was part of the EIDE gym, with professors Yisel, Ilia, Thondike, Santiago, Amaury; they were all my coaches at that time.

How many years did you practice judo in Cuba and why did you go to the United States?

I practiced judo in Cuba all my life until I went to the United States three years ago, claimed by my father. I went the legal route. My father is a US citizen, so I quickly acquired my citizenship.

How did you get into judo in the United States?

I got there and started training. At first I couldn’t participate because I didn’t have my papers. Once I got citizenship, I started participating in local tournaments. I also became national champion in the youth and senior categories, guiding my career in my new country.

What does it mean to compete in Cuba?

It means a lot to me. In my career, many people did not trust me. Not only that, but the injuries I suffered when I was younger also contributed to my not achieving better results. This competition was the ideal opportunity to show that I can do it.

It is very important to represent another country. Furthermore, I do what I like, namely judo. There is no land when you are on the mat. Ultimately, we do judo, and the best wins.

What was it like facing the Cubans?

We have pretty strong judo. But Cuban judo in general needs to be updated and changed. However, they are very strong rivals and work hard to achieve good results.

The podium, the medal, the national anthem of the United States…

Lots of mixed feelings. I stand on the podium with the first place and listen to the national anthem of the United States, but at the same time I am Cuban and I will never stop being Cuban. No matter what happens, I will always be Cuban. And it’s contradictory, because you would want the national anthem to be played that of Cuba, but it is that of the United States, the country that you now have to represent. I don’t know how to explain it.

Will you return to the Varadero Open Judo?

Naturally. It’s a great experience. We’re having a great time. And the Cuban crowd is different: they shout, they encourage you, or they are against you. You fight with more pressure here. In the United States, people don’t yell at you from the stands. The audience is calmer. Next year I’ll be in Varadero. It is an experience I want to repeat.

Duanys Hernández Torres