| |
|
Venezuelan Olympian Gold Medalist Francisco "Morochito" Rodriguez, 78
By Gabriel F. Cordero
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 25 Apr 2024
At 78 years of age, Francisco "Morochito" Rodriguez, the first Venezuelan Olympic gold medalist, died this Tuesday, April 23, at the military hospital in Caracas, Venezuela after serious health complications.
At the age of 23, Rodríguez gave Venezuela its first gold medal during the 1968 Mexico Olympics by defeating Korean Yong-Ju Jee in the legendary Arena Mexico in Mexico City.
Rodriguez was born in Cumaná on September 20, 1945 and also participated in the V Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada in 1967, and the Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia in 1971, where he won the gold medal in both competitions.
After retiring, he trained young Venezuelans in Paraíso, Caracas, where he created a club named after him.
At that time, he was awarded the Francisco de Miranda order in its third class and in 2018, in recognition of the 50 years of Mexico 68, he received the Julio César León order in its only class, awarded by the Venezuelan Olympic Federation.
"Morochito" Rodríguez is part of Venezuela's sports elite as he is one of the four gold medalists in the Olympic Games, along with Arlindo Gouveia (taekwondo), Rubén Limardo (fencing) and Yulimar Rojas (triple jump).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Gabriel F. Cordero.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Deniega to fight Oka in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 02 Jan 2026Illness forces Paddy Donovan to withdraw from IBF Welterweight World Eliminator January 16 versus Liam Paro in Australia
, Fri, 02 Jan 2026Canadian World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki returning to ring March 7th
, Thu, 01 Jan 2026Lover Boy on hot streak
By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025Silvano fights Gurung on January 13 in Hong Kong
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025GM Laylo faces tough competition in Caloocan rapid chess
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025GOLDEN BOY DELIVERS A LOADED UNDERCARD OF STAR PROSPECTS FOR ROCHA VS. CURIEL II
, Wed, 31 Dec 2025Arca wins silver in Eastern Asian Juniors Chess Championships 2025
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025Donaire awaits WBA order
By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 30 Dec 2025Anthony Joshua injured in car crash in Nigeria
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 30 Dec 2025Sampson Boxing Signs Red Hot Middleweight Vito Mielnicki Jr to Exclusive Promotional Contract
, Tue, 30 Dec 2025Undefeated Carl Jammes Martin Plots Next Move as New Year Unfolds
, Mon, 29 Dec 2025Alvin Gayeta Roma leads Mansa Engineering Consultancy Team B to rule New York Chess Academy Team Tournament; pockets P100,000
By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 29 Dec 2025Llover, Casimero stop foes in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 28 Dec 2025Organizing Committee Meets for Dr. Eugene Torre Rapid Chess Tournament Honoring FIL-CHI’s Golden Anniversary
, Sun, 28 Dec 2025KEYSHAWN DAVIS RETURNS ON THE RING 6 UNDERCARD AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
, Sun, 28 Dec 2025IM Datu captures 4th IIEE Chess SIKAT, Jeremy Marticio repeat champ for 5th mini-tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 27 Dec 2025THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS INOUE AND PICASSO CLASH IN RIYADH
, Fri, 26 Dec 2025THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
, Fri, 26 Dec 2025THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI OPEN WORKOUTS COMPLETE AS UNDISPUTED KING INOUE GETS READY FOR PICASSO CLASH IN RIYADH
, Thu, 25 Dec 20253-Time, 2-Division World Champion & IBF No. 1, Mandatory Bantamweight World Title Challenger Miyo Yoshida long overdue for her 8th World title fight
, Thu, 25 Dec 2025Game On! 1st Paower Pickleball Cup Ignites Action in San Fernando
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 25 Dec 2025Late Replacement Tellez Ready to Shock the World Against Amanda Serrano for WBA & WBO Featherweight Titles on January 3 in Puerto Rico
, Wed, 24 Dec 2025The Pryce is right again!
, Wed, 24 Dec 2025Postal Stamp Honoring Muhammad Ali will be present in January 15
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 24 Dec 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
