Mercedes Rodríguez, wife of Ronaldo Veitía, award-winning judo coach, dies

November 12, 2021

The wife of Ronaldo Veitía, the award-winning Cuban judo coach, dies

Ronaldo Veitía, the award-winning Cuban judo coach, suffered a great loss when his beloved wife, Mrs. Mercedes Rodríguez Caballero, passed away on November 6th. She was vital support throughout his career as technical director of women's judo in Cuba.

The Pan American Judo Confederation issued a statement of condolence on its official Facebook profile. "On behalf of the executive committee of the Pan American Judo Confederation and the entire Pan American judo community, we extend our condolences to Professor Ronaldo Veitía Valdivié and family, for the passing of his wife, Mrs. Mercedes Rodríguez Caballero".

They then added that they offer prayers so that "light illuminates Mercedes' path to eternity. Rest in peace". The post makes no reference to the causes of death of the wife of the 74-year-old coach who dedicated more than 30 years to coaching the Cuban national women's judo team.

One of Veitía's most beloved students is judoka Dayma Beltrán, who offered condolences to her eternal coach.

"My condolences and those of my family to coach Veitía, much light for Mercedes' soul on her journey and much strength and resignation for the coach and family in these moments of sadness and pain", wrote the former athlete.

"May God keep her in glory, my deepest condolences coach, I stand with you in your pain and that of your relatives", said Amaury Mendive for his part.

Veitía's athletes conquered a total of 24 Olympic medals, five gold, nine silver and 10 bronze. This record makes him the judo coach with the most Olympic medals in history, for which he received multiple recognitions.

For example, in 2018 Veitía was inducted into the World Judo Hall of Fame in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan. The hall of immortals of this martial art was founded by the International Judo Federation (IJF).