Maricet Espinosa González, Olympian, Passed Away at the Age of 34

In a statement released on January 22, the Pan American Judo Confederation confirmed that Maricet Espinosa González, a prominent judo athlete who competed for Cuba in the Olympic Games in 2016, had passed away at the age of 34.

“With profound sorrow, we say goodbye to a legend of Pan-American and Cuban Judo,” the statement is written. “Maricet Espinosa, affectionately known as ‘La Mole,’ leaves an indelible legacy,” the confederation wrote in a post on Instagram in Spanish, which was translated into English. Maricet, our beloved friend, may you rest in peace. For his family and the Cuban judo community, our condolences. Both your morale and your accomplishments will last for all of eternity.

An explanation for her passing has not been disclosed.

The Universidad del Deporte Cubano, better known as the Cuban Sports University, which is located in Havana and teaches those who are interested in competing in the Olympics, expressed their sorrow at González’s passing.

“We extend our deepest condolences to their families, friends, and colleagues,” the school wrote in a Facebook post on January 21 via translation. “On behalf of our teachers, workers, and students,” the school said.

Havana, Cuba was the location of González’s birth on January 2, 1990. According to Inside Judo, she won the Pan American Judo Championship in both 2013 and 2014, and she also won silver at the 2016 games held in the United States. In addition, she participated in a number of Cuban championships and was awarded the bronze medal at the Grand Slam tournaments held in Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo, and Baku for her efforts.

It was in the women’s 63 kilogram event that she competed in the Olympic Games held in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, however she was eliminated in the second round of competition. According to Inside Judo, González stepped down from his spot on the Cuban national judo team after ten years of service the following year.