Kindelán: The man behind the legend
- Written by Calixto González Betancourt
- Published in Sports
- Hits: 1404
Photo: Luis Toca
Mario César Kindelán Mesa, the former Cuban boxer and two-time Olympic champion, is recognized not only for his athletic achievements but also for his personal life.
In a recent interview with the local newspaper ¡ahora!, Kindelán shared his reflections on his life, his challenges, and his commitment to his country.
The athlete spoke about his experience as a coach in Bahrain, where he achieved significant results, including medals at the Asian Games. However, his decision to travel without notifying Cuban authorities sparked controversy. Although he acknowledged having acted impulsively, he emphasized his loyalty to Cuba and the Revolution, rejecting any accusations of treason.
“I know I've made mistakes, sometimes in reaction to negative or unfair behavior toward me, which doesn't justify them. Bahrain requested my coaching services, but Cubadeportes repeatedly told me I was suspended and not working. However, at that time I was coaching without difficulty and with positive results at EIDE, so I decided to sign the contract on my own and traveled legally to the aforementioned country on March 19, 2023,” Kindelán remarked.
“But I left, as they say, without saying goodbye. I was disappointed, with a hot head. I didn't even request my withdrawal from EIDE, nor did I communicate my decision to the Party, government, and sports authorities in the province, who have always treated me with respect and consideration. I shouldn't have acted like that; I behaved thoughtlessly.”
Currently, Kindelán is seeking to reintegrate into the Cuban sports system. He has held talks with local authorities, including the First Secretary of the Party in Holguín, Joel Queipo Ruiz, and the Director of Sports, Yudelquis Espinosa, who have expressed support for his return. He is also collaborating with the provincial boxing commissioner and hopes to recover his rights as a sporting legend.
Kindelán emphasized that his sporting career was marked by an undefeated streak in major international events, including the Olympic Games, the Pan American Games, and World Championships. This record cements him as one of the greatest amateur boxers in history.
In this new phase, Kindelán seeks to balance his sporting legacy with his personal development, while always maintaining his commitment to Cuba and his native province of Holguín.
