Ayumi Leiva Sánchez (born 4 May 2002) is a Cuban-born Spanish judoka.
Early life Sánchez was born in Cuba and began judo at eight years old. In August 2021, she deflected from Cuba during a flight with the Cuban national judo team on its way to participate in the Junior Pan American Qualifier event. Since there were no direct flights from Havana, they had to connect in Madrid, where she requested political asylum from the passport control police, along with Nahomys Acosta. She obtained Spanish citizenship in July 2023.
Career Sánchez began competing for Spain in March 2024. She won a bronze medal in her debut competition, the 2024 Judo Grand Slam Antalya. Since making her debut, she has medalled in six of the seven Grand Slams she has contested, including two silvers and four bronze medals.
In September 2026, she competed at the 2026 Judo Grand Slam Budapest and won her first career Judo Grand Slam gold medal in the –52 kg category. The next month she competed at the 2026 World Judo Championships and won a bronze medal in the –52 kg category. In the semifinals, she lost to Japan's Uta Abe, who won by ippon with 3:22 remaining. In the repechage, she defeated Mongolia's Bayanmönkhiin Uranzayaa to secure the bronze medal.
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