CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Francisco “Morochito” Rodríguez, the boxer who won Venezuela’s first Olympic gold medal, died Tuesday at age 78.
Venezuela’s Olympic Committee confirmed Rodriguez’ death on Wednesday on its social media channels but did not provide details. Local media reported he had been hospitalized in Caracas due to anemia.
At the Mexico City Olympics in 1968, Rodríguez won gold in the light flyweight division by beating South Korea’s Jee Yong-Ju in the final bout.
Rodríguez also won gold medals at the 1967 and 1971 Pan American Games.
Rodriguez was the second born of 14 children. He started boxing at age 11.
The second Venezuelan to win an Olympic gold medal was fencer Rubén Limardo at the London Olympics in 2012.
Demand recovery to be priority
Botswana prepares for citrus entry into int'l markets
China targets economic growth of around 5 pct in 2024
UN calls for probe into mass graves at Shifa and Nasser hospitals in Gaza
Chinese C919 passenger plane debuts Singapore Airshow
China ready to unleash growth potential
Intelligent seedling breeding base enhances spring farming efficiency in Chongqing
A look at the Gaza war protests that have emerged on US college campuses
Black sailor killed at Pearl Harbor FINALLY identified more than eight decades after 19
Jon Bon Jovi, 62, reveals he did NOT watch future daughter
China In Perspective: Confidence, certainty and potential behind China's 2024 growth target