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Cuban Olympic Judo Wrestler Maricet Espinosa Gonzalez Dead At 34 Following Breast Enhancement Surgery: REPORT

The logo is seen through the Olympic rings in Olympic park ahead of the European Championships Munich 2022 at on August 10, 2022 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

(Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

Andrew Powell Sports and Entertainment Blogger
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Cuban judo wrestler Maricet Espinosa Gonzalez has reportedly died at 34 years old.

Her death was announced on Facebook by the Cuban Sports University, stating that they were in “great pain” and are currently “in mourning,” per Fox News. She passed away earlier this week, according to the outlet.

“On behalf of our teachers, workers, and students we extend our deepest condolences to their families, friends, and colleagues,” said the university, according to the outlet. (RELATED: REPORT: Music Producer, Milli Vanilli Founder Frank Farion Dead At 82)

Gonzalez underwent surgery Jan. 21, the same day that the college announced her death on Facebook, according to Fox News. Via Judo Inside, the local press is reporting that she underwent breast enhancement surgery, later suffering from complications and having a heart attack.

A native of Arroyo Naranjo, Gonzalez had the nickname of “La Mole.”

In 2016, she competed in Rio de Janeiro’s Olympic Games and also won the 2013 and 2014 Pan American Games.

Prior to retiring in 2017, Gonzales was a 10-year member of Cuba’s national team, competing in the 63kg category (139 pounds).

The death of Gonzalez comes only days after another 2016 Olympic athlete passed away.

Last week, a Canadian pole vaulter named Shawn Barber died at 29 years old, according to USA Today. Just months after becoming a national champion at the University of Akron, he won a 2015 world championship.

In other sports-related deaths, former NFL linebacker Ronald Powell has died at the age of 32. Powell played with the New Orleans Saints. No cause of death was given.