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.
1 person was arrested after 3 people were injured in a 'major incident' at a Welsh school
INTERVIEW: ‘There's exposure across Wall Street’ — Radio Free Asia
Supreme Court denies request by Arizona candidates seeking to ban electronic vote tabulators
Seattle Kraken GM Ron Francis leaves open possibility of changes after team misses playoffs
British climate protester won't be charged for sign telling jurors to vote their conscience
No charges yet in weekend crash that killed 2 siblings at Michigan birthday party
Baltimore leaders accuse ship's owner and manager of negligence in Key Bridge collapse
America's best public high school is revealed, as judges of prestige survey hail students' college
Matt Ryan calls it a career. The quarterback officially announces his retirement
Edmunds: What you need to know about wrapping your car
Serie A title, second star and derby: Inter takes it all with win over Milan