A 16-year-old Cuban athlete who died of a heart attack had won a gold medal at the National School Games.

The 16-year-old Cuban athlete who suffered a heart attack on Wednesday had won the gold medal in judo at the National School Games just a few days before.

María de Jesús (Jesusa) Mora Escalante died from a sudden cardiac condition in her hometown of Santiago de Cuba, less than a week after returning from the competition, which took place in Pinar del Río.

A video of the award ceremony for the young and promising judoka, who studied at the School of Physical Education Teachers, was shared on social media.

Jesusa was deaf and dumb, orphaned of her mother, and was raised by her grandmother. Her unexpected death has saddened her neighbors from Granja José Martí, in the Boniato neighborhood, where she was beloved, as well as the entire Santiago community.

Authorities and entities from the province shared messages of condolences for his passing.

"We did not have the opportunity to meet this champion, but it would have been a privilege because she was not only a warrior on the tatami, she also overcame many challenges in life, and love and protection from her grandmother were crucial in this," said Beatriz Johnson, the first secretary of the Party, on Facebook.

The National Association of the Deaf in Cuba also expressed its sorrow over the death of the teenager Jesusa.

Several Internet users have commented on the reason why such a young and athletic girl suffered a heart attack, and question the attention given to Cuban athletes, who are subjected to physical pressure that often does not match their nutrition and living conditions.

Let us hope that all the corresponding investigations are carried out now. It is not possible that these athletes, who bear such physical and mental burdens, are just released to their homes as if nothing happened. A mother recounted, "They say that when they were traveling towards Santiago, he had to ask for the seat backrest to be adjusted because he barely had any strength."

Exactly six years ago, we also lost a young champion in combat sports, taekwondo, under the same conditions in the school games in Santiago de Cuba. Very sad. They are our pride," recalled a woman from Santiago.

"I have always looked down on the part where, after a long physical preparation to achieve a sports shape, they send these kids home without a proper cool down to lower the intensity, as that causes many physical damages in the short or long term," stated a physical trainer.

"Sudden death of athletes is currently a phenomenon that is occurring frequently and is generally due to cardiovascular problems that are sometimes congenital and triggered by physical exertion or a heart rhythm disorder,” explained a doctor.