Driulis González enters the Judo Hall of Fame
The Cuban judoka is the first Latin American woman to feature in the discipline’s Hall of Fame
Author: Aliet Arzola Lima | aliet@granma.cu
august 24, 2015 10:08:54
Driulis also participated in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Photo: Ricardo López Hevia Photo: Ricardo López Hevia.
When one hears about the Judo Hall of Fame, they discover, among other things that only 30 great figures in the history of the sport have achieved such a distinction. This detail demonstrates how difficult it is to be included in the select group, to which Cuba’s Driulis González was inducted last Saturday, August 22.
Four-times Olympic medalist (1992-bronze, 1996-gold, 2000-silver and 2004-bonze) and three-times world champion (1995, 1999 and 2007), the athlete from Guantanamo has been part of the national squad for 20 years, becoming an example for her teammates and a paradigm of judo worldwide.
Driulis has done it all; she commands respect in every competitive scenario while her efforts have now seen her inducted – as the only Latin American woman to date – into the Judo Hall of Fame; the second Cuban after Héctor Rodríguez received the recognition two years ago.
According to the athlete, her selection – based on yeas of hard work, results and dedication – represents one of the happiest moments of her career, stating, “But I won’t let the fame go to my head, I’ll continue to be the same Driulis as always, only a little more touched,” to journalist Joel García after the induction ceremony held in theAlauIce Palace, Astana, Kazakhstan, where the 2015World Judo Championships will be taking place, kicking off thisMon day, August24.
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