Born in Santiago de Cuba,[1] Alcántara's talent for track and field was identified at a young age.

She entered the competition as the world's leading youth athlete with her personal best of 14.21 m and claimed the triple jump title ahead of fellow Cuban Josleidy Ribalta.

[6] That year she entered senior international events, winning the long jump at the 2009 ALBA Games and placing sixth at the 2009 Central American and Caribbean Championships in Athletics.

She was one of four Cuban women to compete in the triple jump at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics, but on her major debut her mark of 13.78 m was not enough to reach the final.

[3] She defeated two-time world champion Yargelis Savigne at the 2012 IAAF Centenary meet in Havana with a personal best jump of 14.58 m.[11] She came third at the adidas Grand Prix Diamond League meet in New York City in June and made her first Cuban Olympic team a month later.