Fencer Taymi Chappé Valladares, legend of Cuban and world fencing, dies in Miami

November 12, 2020

Cuban fencer Taymi Chappé Valladares, who was a world champion for Cuba and Spain, passed away on Tuesday, November 10 at the age of 52 from a heart attack.

The Spanish Fencing Federation (RFEE) announced the news on its website.

"With great sadness we inform you of the death of one of the most decorated athletes in the history of our sport, Taymi Chappé Valladares. Born in La Habana on September 11, 1968, she began her successful sports career in Cuba, with whom she achieved the title of absolute world champion in women's épée in Lyon 1990," the organization stated.

Chappé emigrated to Spain after the Barcelona 92 Olympic Games, after marrying a Spanish citizen, from whom she later divorced.

In 1994 she acquired nationality by letter of naturalization. This allowed her to become part of the Spanish national fencing team, with which she won the world title in team épée in Athens, in 1994.

In 1996 she was number 1 in the World Cup and was part of the Spanish delegation at the Olympic Games in Atlanta, United States.

In 1997 she won the bronze medal at the World Championship in Cape Town.

"Endowed with a unique personality, she transmitted her strength to the national team, making it the best women's team in the history of our sport and one of the best in the world. Her memory will remain with all of us who knew her and admired her passion for fencing," the RFEE recalled.

"All of Spanish fencing, in unison, sends our deepest condolences and all our affection to her family, in these difficult times," it stated.