Ortega gradually rose through Cuba's ranks from 2007 onwards, taking youth and junior national titles in the hurdles. Ortega's grandmother and his first coach was Cristina Hechavarria, a 4 × 100 meter relay gold medalist at the Athletics at the 1967 Pan American Games. She died when Ortega was young, and in memory of her kept all his medals at her house. He was chosen to compete at the 2010 World Junior Championships in Athletics, but did not finish his heat.2010 World Junior Championships . World Junior Athletics History (2012-04-21). Retrieved on 2012-06-10. In his first year of senior competition in 2011, he established himself nationally with a win at the Barrientos Memorial meeting, winning with a personal bestOrlando Ortega Men's 110m Hurdles | Brussels Diamond League. Retrieved on 2016-09-10. of 13.56 seconds.Robinson, Javier Clavelo (2011-05-29). New talents emerge at Barrientos Memorial in Havana . IAAF. Retrieved on 2012-06-10. He improved further at a meeting in Havana running a time of 13.29 seconds.Ortega, Orlando. IAAF. Retrieved on 2012-06-10. He was one hundredth of a second off his best in the final at the 2011 Pan American Games and claimed the bronze medal while fellow Cuban Dayron Robles took the title.Robinson, Javier Clavelo (2011-10-29). Robles 13.10, Borges 5.80m and Ibarguen 14.92m in Guadalajara - Pan American Games, Day 6. IAAF. Retrieved on 2012-06-10.
