When one hears about the Judo Hall of Fame, they discover, among other things that only 30 great figures in the history of the sport have achieved such a distinction. This detail demonstrates how difficult it is to be included in the select group, to which Cuba’s Driulis González was inducted last Saturday, August 22.
Four-times Olympic medalist (1992-bronze, 1996-gold, 2000-silver and 2004-bonze) and three-times world champion (1995, 1999 and 2007), the athlete from Guantanamo has been part of the national squad for 20 years, becoming an example for her teammates and a paradigm of judo worldwide.
Driulis has done it all; she commands respect in every competitive scenario while her efforts have now seen her inducted - as the only Latin American woman to date - into the Judo Hall of Fame; the second Cuban after Héctor Rodríguez received the recognition two years ago.
According to the athlete, her selection - based on yeas of hard work, results and dedication - represents one of the happiest moments of her career, stating, “But I won’t let the fame go to my head, I’ll continue to be the same Driulis as always, only a little more touched,” to journalist Joel García after the induction ceremony held in theAlauIce Palace, Astana, Kazakhstan, where the 2015World Judo Championships will be taking place, kicking off thisMonday, August24.
