Who stands out among Cuba’s finest athletes?
From the baseball diamonds to the boxing rings, who are the most popular athletes from Cuba?
Discover the top sports icons hailing from the island nation and learn how they’ve left their mark on their respective sports.
Also check out our post about the most popular soccer players from Cuba.
Most popular athletes from Cuba:
- Teófilo Stevenson
- Javier Sotomayor
- Mijaín López
- Félix Savón
- Ana Fidelia Quirot
- Odlanier Solís
- Yumilka Ruiz
- Regla Torres
- Osvaldo Alonso
- Robeisy Ramírez
- Idalis Ortiz
- Lázaro Bruzón
- Erislandy Lara
Table of Contents
#1 Teófilo Stevenson
- 🏆 Sport(s): Boxing
- 🎂 Born in: 1952
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: 3 Olympic Gold Medals
Teófilo Stevenson, one of the greatest fighter ever, left an indelible mark on the boxing world. With his extraordinary punching power and discipline, he became an icon in his home country of Cuba.
Despite numerous lucrative offers to turn professional, Stevenson stayed true to his Cuban roots, choosing to remain an amateur throughout his career.
#2 Javier Sotomayor
- 🏆 Sport(s): Track and Field
- 🎂 Born in: 1967
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: Olympic Gold Medal and World Record Holder
Javier Sotomayor, the high jump world record holder, revolutionized the sport with his astonishing leaps. He inspired a generation of track and field athletes and remains the only person to have ever jumped over 8 feet in the high jump.
His exceptional performance, paired with his humble personality, made him a popular figure among his fellow countrymen and fans worldwide.
#3 Mijaín López
- 🏆 Sport(s): Wrestling
- 🎂 Born in: 1982
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: 3 Olympic Gold Medals
Mijaín López, better known as “The Hercules of Cuba”, dominated the wrestling world for over a decade. His phenomenal strength, technique, and work ethic made him virtually unbeatable on the wrestling mat.
With numerous World Championship titles to his name, he is considered one of the greatest Greco-Roman wrestlers of all time.
#4 Félix Savón
- 🏆 Sport(s): Boxing
- 🎂 Born in: 1967
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: 3 Olympic Gold Medals
Félix Savón, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, is a legendary figure in the sport of boxing. His aggressive style and exceptional skills made him one of the most feared and respected fighters of his time.
Like Stevenson, Savón never turned professional and maintained a strong sense of pride and loyalty to his Cuban roots throughout his career.
#5 Ana Fidelia Quirot
- 🏆 Sport(s): Track and Field
- 🎂 Born in: 1963
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: 2 World Championship Gold Medals
Ana Fidelia Quirot overcame numerous personal and professional barriers to become one of the greatest female middle-distance runners in history. From severe burns to pregnancy, she continued to defy odds and compete at the highest level.
Quirot’s incredible resilience and determination are truly emblematic of her indomitable spirit.
#6 Odlanier Solís
- 🏆 Sport(s): Boxing
- 🎂 Born in: 1980
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: Olympic Gold Medal
Odlanier Solís, another talented Olympic Gold Medalist boxer from Cuba, showcases exceptional skills and technique in the ring. The former heavyweight world amateur champion turned professional after winning the gold medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Solís has made an outstanding transition to the professional ranks, maintaining his reputation as one of Cuba’s most popular athletes.
#7 Yumilka Ruiz
- 🏆 Sport(s): Volleyball
- 🎂 Born in: 1978
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: 2 Olympic Bronze Medals
Yumilka Ruiz, a standout member of the Cuban Women’s National Volleyball Team, excelled on the international stage throughout her illustrious career. As team captain, she helped lead Cuba to two Olympic bronze medals and numerous other victories in international competitions.
Ruiz is widely regarded as one of the best female volleyball players in Cuba’s rich history of the sport.
#8 Regla Torres
- 🏆 Sport(s): Volleyball
- 🎂 Born in: 1975
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: 3 Olympic Gold Medals
Regla Torres, considered one of the greatest female volleyball players of all time, played a vital role in the Cuban Women’s National Volleyball Team’s string of Olympic gold medals in the 1990s. Her powerful play and remarkable versatility made her a key component of the team’s success.
Her accomplishments and skills earned her a spot in the Volleyball Hall of Fame and solidified her place among Cuba’s top athletes.
#9 Osvaldo Alonso
- 🏆 Sport(s): Soccer
- 🎂 Born in: 1985
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: MLS Best XI
Osvaldo Alonso, a talented Cuban footballer, defected to the United States and went on to establish himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in Major League Soccer (MLS). Nicknamed “Honey Badger” for his tenacious, ball-winning play, Alonso became a fan favorite and a crucial part of his team’s success.
Although he no longer represents Cuba internationally, his accomplishments in the sport have made him one of the most well-known Cuban footballers.
#10 Robeisy Ramírez
- 🏆 Sport(s): Boxing
- 🎂 Born in: 1993
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: 2 Olympic Gold Medals
Robeisy Ramírez, a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, is one of the most promising young talents in Cuban boxing. Despite his age, he has already established a remarkable amateur career by winning gold at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.
With his exceptional skills and a bright future ahead of him, Ramírez is undoubtedly among the top athletes coming from Cuba.
#11 Idalis Ortiz
- 🏆 Sport(s): Judo
- 🎂 Born in: 1989
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: Olympic Gold Medal
Idalis Ortiz, one of the most successful Cuban judokas, has represented her country with distinction in international competitions. With an Olympic gold medal, two silver medals, and a bronze to her name, Ortiz has consistently excelled at the highest level of the sport.
Her exceptional technique and fierce determination have made her a remarkable figure not only in Cuban sports but also in the world of judo.
#12 Lázaro Bruzón
- 🏆 Sport(s): Chess
- 🎂 Born in: 1982
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: World Junior Chess Champion
Lázaro Bruzón, a Cuban Grandmaster in chess, has carved a name for himself as one of the best chess players from Cuba. He won the World Junior Chess Championship in 2000, establishing himself as a prominent player on the global stage.
Bruzón’s accomplishments in chess have not only made him a popular figure among Cuban athletes but also earned him international respect and recognition.
#13 Erislandy Lara
- 🏆 Sport(s): Boxing
- 🎂 Born in: 1983
- 🥇 Biggest Achievement: WBA Light Middleweight Champion
Erislandy Lara, a Cuban boxer known for his technical skills and tactical approach in the ring, has made headlines in the world of professional boxing. After defecting to the United States and turning pro, Lara became a multiple-time world champion in the light middleweight division.
His success story represents the resilience and dedication that characterizes the most popular athletes from Cuba.
FAQ
Who is the greatest athlete in the history of Cuba?
Teófilo Stevenson is regarded as the greatest athlete in Cuba’s history.
Who is the most popular female athlete from Cuba?
Yargelis Savigne, a track and field athlete, is the most popular female athlete from Cuba.
Which sport has the most popular athletes from Cuba?
Baseball has produced many of Cuba’s most popular athletes.
Which athlete from Cuba is the most popular internationally?
Boxer Teófilo Stevenson is perhaps the most internationally recognized Cuban athlete.
