Former volleyball player Abel Sarmientos Bios, a member of the generation that propelled Cuban volleyball to global prominence, passed away in Havana at the age of 61, engulfed in poverty and obscurity. Sarmientos was an extraordinary attacker for the national team for 14 years, from 1981 to 1994.
Born on July 22, 1962, in Camagüey, he won his first gold medal in 1981 at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Havana. He would repeat this achievement in 1993. Sarmientos also clinched the title at the 1989 World Cup, winning a silver medal at the World Championship the same year. He secured silver medals at the World Cups in 1981 and 1991 as well.
He was a three-time medalist at the Pan American Games, with two silver medals from Caracas 1984 and Indianapolis 1987, and a bronze in 1995. Sarmientos was part of the team that competed in the 1992 Olympics, finishing in fourth place.
Memories of Olympic Struggles
"In the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, we were just one step away from a medal. We had a strong team, but the emotion and lack of Olympic experience weighed heavily on us. The same thing happened in the 1990 World Championship final against Italy. They studied us thoroughly throughout the year. They had the technology and conducted precise analysis of each of us, playing with exact precision," Sarmientos once recalled.
According to the state-run Prensa Latina agency, Sarmientos retired in 1994 and later fulfilled several international sports collaboration agreements. He also worked at the University of Physical Culture and Sports Sciences Manuel Fajardo.
The Italian press remembered his outstanding career as an attacker for over a decade, describing him as a "proud opponent of the Azzurri (Italian national team)." "The end of his life was sad, as he himself mentioned in interviews with some sports portals in his country, reduced to poverty without any assistance from the Caribbean nation's sports structure, the INDER," noted the portal I Volley Magazine.
Frequently Asked Questions About Abel Sarmientos' Life and Career
In light of Abel Sarmientos' passing, many are reflecting on his contributions to Cuban volleyball and the circumstances of his later years. Here are some frequently asked questions about his life and career.
What were Abel Sarmientos' major achievements in volleyball?
Abel Sarmientos won multiple medals, including gold at the 1981 and 1993 Central American and Caribbean Games, the 1989 World Cup, and silver medals at the 1981 and 1991 World Cups. He also earned silver medals at the 1984 and 1987 Pan American Games and a bronze in 1995.
What role did Sarmientos play in the Cuban national team?
Sarmientos was an extraordinary attacker for the Cuban national volleyball team, playing from 1981 to 1994 and contributing significantly to the team's success during that period.
How did Abel Sarmientos' life end?
Abel Sarmientos died in Havana at the age of 61, living in poverty and without support from Cuba's sports institutions, despite his significant contributions to the sport.