Judo Olympian dies at 34 during cosmetic procedure

The judo world mourns the loss of Maricet Espinosa Gonzalez, a two-time winner of Pan American Championship

Former Olympic judoka and two-time Pan American Champion Maricet Espinosa Gonzalez, known by the nickname “La Mole,” has passed away at the age of 34.

Gonzalez’s death was confirmed this week, casting a shadow over the judo community and her native country, Cuba.

Gonzalez, who represented Cuba at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, had built a strong reputation in the world of judo. Her achievements included two gold medals at the Pan American Championships in 2013 and 2014, and a respectable ninth-place finish in her half-middleweight class at the Rio Olympics.

The cause of Gonzalez’s death has been linked to complications following a cosmetic surgery procedure. Reports indicate that she underwent breast enlargement surgery on Jan. 21, several days before her passing. Although it remains a speculation and is yet to be confirmed, many believe that the fatal heart attack was the direct cause of her death.

Tributes have poured in from various sports organizations and individuals who knew her. The Pan American Judo Federation released a statement expressing profound sadness at her passing, describing her as a legend of Pan American and Cuban judo. The statement further highlighted her “unerasable legacy” in the sport.

The news of Gonzalez’s death comes amid a period of mourning in the sports world, as it follows closely on the heels of another tragic loss. Canadian pole vaulter Shawn Barber, an Olympian champion, passed away on Jan. 17 due to medical complications at the age of 29.

Source: Newsroom