Estela Rodríguez Villanueva, one of the greats of Cuban judo, died as a result of cardiac arrest at the 26 Surgical Clinical Hospital, where she had been admitted due to conditions associated with the diabetes she suffered from, according to the sports portal Hit.
Rodríguez Villanueva, born on November 12, 1967, in Palma Soriano, Santiago de Cuba, was part of a golden generation of judo on the Island, in which she stood out as the first world champion with the title in the Open division, in Belgrade 1989.
The many triumphs conquered, those that took him to the elite of universal judo, never separated him from his roots. Estela Rodríguez was always the humble Cuban who lit up with her smile and became an example of simplicity. #InderCuba share the pain of family and friends. pic.twitter.com/Pzbl9fcpey
— INDER (@InderCuba) April 10, 2022
In his brilliant career, the two silver medals stand out in the Olympic Games of Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996, in the then division of +72 kg and, in addition, this source that won four medals in the Pan American Games stands out, in which the two of gold in Havana 1991 in the +72 kg and Open categories. Likewise, he won countless awards in other international competitions.
She was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Pan American Judo Confederation and, due to her career, she was chosen among the best 100 Cuban athletes in the 20th century.
She was also a coach for the national pre-selections.
Estela Rodríguez’s body will be cremated and her ashes transferred to her native Santiago de Cuba.
