Wrestling star Alan Vera — who simply narrowly missed qualifying for Group USA’s Olympic roster earlier this yr — has sadly died at 33 years previous … after he suffered a medical emergency whereas taking part in soccer earlier this summer season.
USA Wrestling Government Director Wealthy Bender introduced the tragic information on Wednesday … revealing Vera had been within the hospital combating to get better from a July 29 cardiac arrest when he handed away.
“The wrestling neighborhood mourns the lack of a fantastic champion, whose unimaginable life impacted so many inside USA Wrestling and around the globe,” Bender stated.
A GoFundMe web page arrange in Vera’s honor acknowledged the athlete sustained “an sudden an infection” over the weekend — which led to his passing Monday night time.
Vera, who was born in Cuba, competed for the Cuban Nationwide Group within the 2010s … and shined, profitable bronze within the 2015 Pan American Video games and gold on the 2016 Pan American Championships.
He immigrated to America a short while later, and after getting his citizenship, he competed in a number of occasions for Group USA, profitable 4 Senior Nationwide titles.
Vera had additionally been a member of USA Wrestling’s Greco-Roman Nationwide Group for the final 4 years.
“Ever since he got here into my life in 2016, he has been a real chief, at all times able to do something for anybody in want,” his coach, Herb Home, stated. “His selflessness and dedication have made a long-lasting impression on me.”
Vera is survived by his spouse, Elena Pirozhkova — a two-time U.S. Olympian — and new child daughter, Alina.
RIP.
