Cuban Olympic star dies after failed plastic surgery

Maricet Espinosa Gonzalez, the former Cuban Judo champion and 2016 Olympic athlete, has died at the young age of 34, reportedly due to complications from breast enlargement surgery that led to a heart attack.

Fondly known as ‘La Mole,’ Espinosa was a two-time Pan American Judo champion, representing Cuba at the 2016 Olympics.

Espinosa’s death has shocked the sports community, particularly her alma mater Manuel Fajardo Cuban Sports University, known for producing Olympic athletes. The university paid tribute to Espinosa in a statement and expressed their condolences to Espinosa’s family, friends, and colleagues.

Cuban Olympic star dies after a failed plastic surgery

Sports journalist Robiel Vega added: “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. Rest in peace, champion.”

Espinosa’s death comes in the wake of another tragic loss in the sports world, that of Olympic pole vaulter Shawn Barber. Barber died at the age of 29 due to medical complications. Espinosa and Barber were both young and promising athletes who had represented their country at the Olympics and brought glory to their sport.