Olympic judo champion Maricet Espinosa González dies after undergoing cosmetic surgery
Judo champion Maricet Espinosa González dies. She was only 34. A look back at her incredible career. The sudden death of Cuban judo star, Maricet Espinosa González, at the age of 34, has plunged the world of sports into mourning. She suffered a heart attack on Sunday, January 21. This shocking news has devastated the […]
Posted on01/26/24 at 10:56
- Judo champion Maricet Espinosa González dies.
- She was only 34.
- A look back at her incredible career.
The sudden death of Cuban judo star, Maricet Espinosa González, at the age of 34, has plunged the world of sports into mourning.
She suffered a heart attack on Sunday, January 21.
This shocking news has devastated the sports community, who are mourning the loss of a major talent.
The memory of Maricet Espinosa González will endure as a reminder of the profound impact she had on the world of judo and sports in general.
Maricet Espinosa González dies
The news that ‘La Mole,’ as Maricet Espinosa González was known, has left the judo world in a state of shock.
According to Cubalite magazine, the double Pan American champion was not on the island at the time of her death.
A close source to the athlete revealed that a few days earlier, Espinosa underwent breast augmentation surgery, which may have had something to do with her untimely death.
This shocking incident has raised questions what happened to the talented athlete.
Her family is asking for financial help
Following her sudden death, family and friends launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds and repatriate González’s body to Havana, her birthplace.
Yudeysi Batte, a close friend of the late star, is hoping to raise $15,000.
«There is a 2-year-old girl who is now without a mother, and her relatives do not have enough money to send her body to their country,» she wrote.
The mobilization aims to honor the memory of the athlete and support her family, facilitating the return of Maricet Espinosa González to her homeland.
She was an outstanding athlete
González, a prominent Cuban judoka, was part of the national team in the under-140-pound category, achieving two Pan American titles in 2013 and 2014.
Furthermore, she won two gold medals at the Pan American Opens in Buenos Aires and Lima in 2016.
At the Rio Olympics, she achieved an initial victory against Phupu Lhamu Khatri of Nepal but did not advance past the second round against Israel’s Yarden Gerbi.
Following these accomplishments, she announced her retirement in 2017, making a significant mark in Cuban judo.
Condolences pour in
The Cuban University of Sports sent a heartfelt message about Maricet Espinosa González on social media.
«It is with great pain that the Cuban university sports community receives the news of the death of the outstanding Cuban judoka Maricet Espinosa González.
«Maricet Espinosa González has passed away. With great sorrow, the university community of sports receives the news of the death of the outstanding Cuban judoka,» they wrote.
«At only 34 years old, ‘La Mole’ left for eternity,» the statement continues.
«On behalf of our professors, staff, and students, we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues,» it concludes.
She was an award-winning athlete
Originally from the Havana municipality of Arroyo Naranjo, González won multiple gold medals in national tournaments.
Additionally, she excelled as a medalist in international competitions held in Azerbaijan, China, the United States, Japan, Brazil, Belgium, Panama and Italy.
According to Marca, Maricet accumulated a total of 12 medals, distributed among four gold, two silver and six bronze.
Her skill and dedication led her to excel not only nationally but also internationally, leaving a brilliant legacy in the sports scene.