Cuban Ex-Wrestler Serguei Rondón: "I Have the Right to Dream"

The stunning venue for the wrestling tournament in Santo Domingo, host of the 2003 Pan American Games, was the backdrop for the final bout in the freestyle category, 66 kilograms division. On one side was Colombian Edison Hurtado, and on the other, Cuban Serguei Rondón. Ultimately, the victory went to the Cuban, who, 22 years later, shares the story of his life journey with us.

"Oh Julita, what a pleasure it is to talk with you! It's been such a long time since we last met. I still remember that interview after my victory. It was wonderful chatting with you then, just as it is now," he says, clearly moved. "Indeed," I reply, "and I'm so happy to see you."

We meet in Houston, Texas, where he resides with his wife, former wrestler Yolanda Cordero.

Life in Houston

What have you been up to? We live here in Houston, and I work at the Miller Piper Yard, where oil pipes are stored. I initially worked as security, and now I'm employed as a pipe fitter. We're doing well and are expecting our child.

Reflections on a Wrestling Career

How do you remember your wrestling days? Imagine! I can't forget the highs and lows. Many years were spent on wrestling mats worldwide, giving and receiving blows, applying holds, and grappling.

I'll never forget my joy at the Multi-Sport Games in Santo Domingo and Cartagena de Indias, nor the disappointment of missing the chance to advance in Athens 2004 or losing the bronze in the World Championship in the United States.

Serguei Rondón clinched the title at the Pan American Games in the Dominican Republic in 2003 and placed fourth in the World Championship in New York that year, after losing the bronze match to Japan’s Kazuhiko Ikematsu.

He earned a spot in the Athens 2004 Olympics but was defeated in his initial match by Ukrainian Elbrus Tedeyev, who later became the Olympic champion, thus “dragging” him along.

Returning to the mat, he triumphed over Georgian Otar Tushishvili with a technical superiority victory, scoring 10 points and leaving his rival weakened and injured. Although he finished second in his preliminary group and ninth overall, his performance was commendable: ninth among the world's best in a division full of outstanding wrestlers.

Additionally, he won the gold medal at the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games in Cartagena de Indias.

The Beginnings of a Wrestling Journey

How did you start wrestling? I spent four years studying at the EIDE “Mártires de Barbados.” In 1990, I moved to CEAR “Córdova Cardín” until 1994 when I joined the national pre-selection team training at “Cerro Pelado” under the guidance of the great coach, Filiberto Delgado. By 1998, I was part of the first team led by Delgado and Arturo Yánez.

From there, I traveled the world’s wrestling mats, in addition to my successful performances in continental and regional competitions, I also won gold and bronze medals in the World Cup team events in Uzbekistan 2005 and Azerbaijan 2006. It was a golden era for Cuban freestyle wrestling!

Challenges and Triumphs

Even as Greco-Roman wrestling has stayed elite, not just due to the extraordinary Mijaín López, freestyle has declined.

Since they "removed" Delgado without any explanation—just saying he was moved "where needed"—an absurd justification, the freestyle wrestlers have struggled. The collapse was evident at Beijing 2008, where five Cubans fought for bronze, and all five lost. It was both unexpected and incredible.

Who is the best freestyle wrestler in the world, in your opinion? That's an easy one: the Russian Buvaisar Saitiev, triple Olympic champion and six-time world champion... And of course, the best in Greco-Roman by a long shot, Mijaín López!

Life Transitions and Future Aspirations

When did you leave Cuba? I was on the national team during two periods (1998-2009 and 2013-2017), as I was sanctioned for indiscipline. Four years that no one understood because what I did were just youthful indiscretions, but it seems I wasn't well-liked.

I lost the chance to go to London 2012. And well, it wasn’t the same. I injured my neck and couldn’t train as before. After an invitation from Filiberto Delgado, who was then training the girls, I started coaching women's wrestling. I was there for almost two years.

I reunited with an old girlfriend and had to choose between her and staying there. I moved to the EIDE in Cotorro and worked in my sport with Yuniel Fonseca.

But to be honest, it didn’t work out. People who "always cared for me" turned their backs, hardships increased, and I decided to travel to Nicaragua in August 2022, helped by Luisitín (Luis Ibáñez, also a wrestler, who was already in the U.S. and always supported me).

Did you get to the United States immediately after your journey through "the volcanoes"? No, I first worked for a year and a half in Mexico at an MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) academy. After that time, I made the journey here, entering through Matamoros on January 6, 2024. What a gift from the Wise Men, girl!

But I didn’t come alone: my ex-wife and mother of my daughter, judoka Yaritza Abel; my 11-year-old daughter, Yarisel; my current partner Yolanda Cordero, who also practiced wrestling… And here we all are! We’ve been here a year... The American dream!, and my wife is seven months pregnant.

You can see the happiness on Serguei's face, who has achieved the Olympic medal of life.

Current plans. I mentioned that I work as a pipe fitter at Miller Piper Yard, but our dream, for us wrestlers here, including Luisitín and Odelis Herrero, is to create an academy to bring kids and teens off the streets. To help them find in sports a pathway to development. It’s our dream, and I believe we will achieve it.

I say goodbye to Serguei Rondón with a warm embrace, the same one we shared 22 years ago at the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, the same we frequently exchanged at Cerro Pelado. Success, my friend... you have the right to dream!