Who Is Marileidy Paulino’s Coach? Everything to Know About Yaseen Pérez Gómez

Yaseen Pérez Gómez: Career highlights and achievements

Pérez’s coaching career is a rich tapestry of success spun from adversity. When his injury brought an end to his sprinting days, he turned to coaching athletes with disabilities, a position that led him to the 2012 London Paralympics. This experience sharpened his skills at adapting and motivating, skills that would later become the hallmark of his success in the Dominican Republic. The minute he arrived, Pérez made a lasting impression by coaching sprinter Jean Carlos Martínez, who broke national records in the 100 and 200 meters—records intact for 35 years. This early triumph attested to Pérez’s ability to bring out the best in his athletes.

And his international acclaim? It’s brought by his collaboration with Marileidy Paulino. When he started training her in 2016, Paulino was a fairly obscure talent. With Pérez’s help, she made the switch to the 400 meters, which proved to be a masterstroke. During the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Paulino snatched two silver medals—400 meters and mixed 4×400 meter relay. Thus, she became the first Dominican woman to win an individual Olympic medal in athletics. Pérez’s vision and strict training schedule pushed her even higher during the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she won gold in the 400 meters with a record-breaking Olympic time of 48.17 seconds. This win made her the third Dominican to take home Olympic gold, in addition to legends, Félix Sánchez and Félix Díaz.

Pérez’s successes go beyond medals. His skill at turning athletes into world-class athletes has drawn him praise and admiration, as well as his own life story—from Cuban sprinter to Dominican citizen—mirroring the determination he instils in his wards. In 2024, the new citizenship meant not only that he was dedicating himself to the Dominican Republic but also that he could continue to follow Paulino on her path to greatness without logistical difficulties.

“We Expected the Gold”: What coach Yaseen Pérez Gómez really thinks about Marileidy Paulino’s rise to glory

Yaseen Pérez Gómez is not a man of idle words—he’s a trainer who expects outcomes. Above all, he never had doubts about Paulino’s ability to deliver. Having witnessed her groundbreaking gold medal performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Pérez’s pride was evident. “We fully expected the gold and the record,” he mentioned, recalling the 21 days of hard preparation leading up to the event. “We had been working for this, having worked 21 days and doing incredible work.” His optimism wasn’t blind faith; it was based on Paulino’s tireless work ethic and shared sacrifices.

Pérez’s respect for Paulino is crystal clear in his accounts of her journey. Following her triumph in the 2022 Zurich Diamond League, he praised her resilience: “We had to make big sacrifices in order to get into the final, but the main thing is that we have attained the objective of becoming number one.” To Pérez, Paulino’s ascendancy isn’t solely talent-based—it’s toughness, self-discipline, and a will to keep going that no obstacle can crack. He’s seen her transform from a barefoot runner in Don Gregorio to a worldwide icon, and he attributes her success to a culmination of their shared commitment.

In the future, Pérez is still looking ahead. After her Paris victory, Paulino organized a well-earned respite in Cuba, a tribute to Pérez’s native land and their close relationship. Still, even in relaxation, Pérez’s thoughts are on the next challenge. With Paulino being the world’s No. 1 in the 400 meters since May 2023, he’s already looking to break the world record of 47.60 seconds, which was set by Marita Koch in 1985. For Pérez, Paulino’s fame is not just a flash in the pan—it’s a movement, one he’s committed to keeping going.