Maricet Espinosa, Olympian and Cuban judo champ, dies at 34

David K. Li and Sandra Lilley and Bryan Gallion and Orlando Matos
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Retired Cuban judo and Olympian Maricet "La Mole" Espinosa died and left an "unerasable legacy" on her nation and her sport, officials said this week.

Espinosa was 34.

The Pan American Judo Federation said in an announcement Monday, "With profound sadness, we say goodbye to a legend of Panamerican and Cuban judo."

The federation did not release details of how Espinosa died.

"Maricet Espinosa, fondly known as 'La Mole,' leaves an unerasable legacy," the organization continued. "Two-time Panamerican champion, world medalist and an Olympic representative in Rio 2016. Rest in peace, dear Maricet."

"Our condolences to her family and to Cuban judo," the statement said. "Your spirit and your achievements will endure forever."

Espinosa completed in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, tying for ninth in her half-middleweight class, 57kg to 63kg.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com