Judo champion and former Olympian Maricet Espinosa Gonzalez has died at the age of 34.
Gonzalez was a Pan American Judo Championship winner in 2013, before repeating the remarkable achievement in the following year.
She also earned two silver medals at the continental judo Championships in 2016, and in that same year, she represented her country at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in the women's 63kg competition.
While there, she defeated Nepalese judoka Phupu Lhamu Khatri in the first round but lost in the next round to Israel's Yarden Gerbi, her most frequent opponent during her career.
The former number five also triumphed in getting bronze medals at Grand Slam tournaments in Rio de Janeiro (2011), Tokyo (2012), and Baku (2016) in the 63kg category. She retired just nine years after making her international debut in 2008.
It has been reported that the late athlete - known as "La Mole" - suffered a heart attack, having experienced complications after having breast enlargement surgery, as reported by The Mirror.
The heartbreaking news of her death comes after the Manuel Fajardo Cuban Sports University made a tribute post, according to the Daily Mail.
"Cuban judo is in mourning. Maricet Espinosa González passed away," they wrote. "With great pain, the university community of Cuban sports receives the news of the death of the outstanding Cuban judoka. At only 34 years old, 'La mole' (nickname by which the athlete was known)."
Following the shock announcement, tributes have poured in for the former athlete, with one user on X (formerly Twitter) writing: "With great pain, the Cuban university sports community receives the news of the death of the outstanding Cuban judoka Maricet Espinosa González, who stood out as a member of the national judo team, with two titles and a Pan American silver, all in 63kg."
Another person expressed their sorrow, penning: "Please extend our heartfelt condolences to your blood and sports relatives," while a third added: "Today Cuban sport is in mourning."
The Sun also reported that sports journalist Robiel Vega shared: "It is with terrible pain that I received the sad news of the death of Maricet Espinosa, ‘La Mole’, as she was known in the world of judo since she was just a child."
"She was an excellent athlete and a former National Team member. I send my deepest condolences to her friends and family," he continued. "Rest in peace, champion."
News of Gonzalez's passing comes after Olympic finalist Shawn Barber died at 29 after experiencing health issues.
Our thoughts are with the athlete's family, friends and fans.
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