The best Cuban rower in history, Angel Fournier, died Thursday of a heart attack at the age of 34, reported the Cuban Rowing Federation.
Fournier, who had requested his resignation from the Cuban national team in 2020 due to heart problems, was living in the United States at the time of his death.
His extensive track record includes three medals in world rowing championships in the single sculls modality: silver in Chungju 2013 and Sarasota 2017, and bronze in Amsterdam 2014. four titles in Pan American Games and was also a double Olympic finalist in London 2012 and Rio 2016.
The Cuban Rowing Federation today expressed its condolences to family and friends for the passing of the outstanding rower.
“It is a hard blow for all of us who knew him. We send our condolences to family and friends from the Federation to which he belonged,” said National Rowing Commissioner Angel Luis Garcia.
Born in Caimanera, Guantánamo municipality, on December 31, 1988, Fournier showed his exceptional rowing skills at the 1st Alba Games in Havana 2005, when he won a silver medal while still a youth.
During his Olympic foray, in Rio de Janeiro 2016, a tactical error caused him to finish sixth. He had previously placed seventh in London 2012 and twelfth in Beijing 2008.
Fournier was chosen among the 10 athletes of the year in Cuba in 2014 and 2017.
The giant from Guantanamo leaves behind two children, Angel Lazaro and Natalia, aged two and five, respectively, and his wife Yusmary Mengana, a three-time Pan American champion and world cup medalist.
