Venezuelan Olympian Gold Medalist Francisco "Morochito" Rodriguez, 78
By Gabriel F. Cordero
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 25 Apr 2024
At 78 years of age, Francisco "Morochito" Rodriguez, the first Venezuelan Olympic gold medalist, died this Tuesday, April 23, at the military hospital in Caracas, Venezuela after serious health complications.
At the age of 23, Rodríguez gave Venezuela its first gold medal during the 1968 Mexico Olympics by defeating Korean Yong-Ju Jee in the legendary Arena Mexico in Mexico City.
Rodriguez was born in Cumaná on September 20, 1945 and also participated in the V Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada in 1967, and the Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia in 1971, where he won the gold medal in both competitions.
After retiring, he trained young Venezuelans in Paraíso, Caracas, where he created a club named after him.
At that time, he was awarded the Francisco de Miranda order in its third class and in 2018, in recognition of the 50 years of Mexico 68, he received the Julio César León order in its only class, awarded by the Venezuelan Olympic Federation.
"Morochito" Rodríguez is part of Venezuela's sports elite as he is one of the four gold medalists in the Olympic Games, along with Arlindo Gouveia (taekwondo), Rubén Limardo (fencing) and Yulimar Rojas (triple jump).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Gabriel F. Cordero.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 14 Jan 2026Top Super Lightweights Bryan Flores & Starling Castillo Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
Wed, 14 Jan 2026Harden surpasses Shaquille O'Neal's to become the ninth all-time leading scorer in NBA history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 14 Jan 2026“It’s time, LFG” - Holly McMath Trilogy for WBC Title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Tue, 13 Jan 2026IBA President Kremlev encourages sporting organisations to protect women’s sport following Trump’s statement on Imane Khelif
Tue, 13 Jan 2026REYES, STRICKLAND, BUSTAMANTE & SOUQUET SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AT WNT LEGENDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Tue, 13 Jan 2026Pumicpic fights Korean in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 13 Jan 2026No. 1 rated WBA Super Flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez remains patient and Looks forward to a 2026 World title shot
Tue, 13 Jan 2026Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 22
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 13 Jan 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 12 JANUARY 2026: Dalton Smith Halts Subriel Matias in 5; Kabayel Stops Knyba in 3
By Eric Armit, Mon, 12 Jan 2026Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 12 Jan 2026STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
Sun, 11 Jan 2026Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 11 Jan 2026Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 10 Jan 2026‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Sat, 10 Jan 2026