Former Cuban Judo star Estela Rodriguez dies
- Written by RHC
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Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel conveyed condolence to the island’s sports family for the passing of former female judo star Estela Rodriguez.
I share the pain of the Cuban sports family at the sudden death of the great Estela Rodríguez, our first Judo world champion. My condolences to family and friends. Cuba mourns her departure, Diaz-Canel tweeted.
Born on November 12, 1967, in Palma Soriano, Santiago de Cuba, she was part of a golden generation of Cuban judo. She stood out as the first world champion in the Open division in Belgrade in 1989.
Her brilliant record includes two silver medals in the Olympic Games of Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996 in the +72 kg division. She also won four awards in the Pan American Games, including two gold medals in Havana 1991 in the +72 kg and Open categories.
She also won countless prizes in other international competitions. She was exalted to the Panamerican Judo Confederation Hall of Fame.
The famous athlete died in Havana Sunday due to cardiac arrest at the Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico, where she had been admitted for conditions associated with her diabetes. She was 55.
