Her passion for athletics was ignited by watching Cuban discus thrower Luis Delis win a bronze medal at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. She enjoyed running, jumping, and throwing from a young age. Initially competing in both shot put and discus, she eventually focused on shot put.

Coaching and Training

Justo Navarro, a Cuban coach, has been guiding her since 1989. Under his mentorship, she honed her skills and achieved remarkable success in shot put.

Memorable Achievements

One of her most memorable sporting achievements is winning gold at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. She moved from sixth to second place on her final attempt. Five days later, she was awarded the gold medal after Russia's Irina Korzhanenko was disqualified for doping.

Injuries and Challenges

Her career has not been without challenges. She suffered a leg injury in November 2005. The pain in her knee is a constant issue, especially during cooler weather. This injury has forced her to modify her training regimen.

At the 1995 World Championships, she tore ligaments, joints, and the internal meniscus in her right knee. This injury caused her to miss the shot put final and end her season prematurely. She underwent surgery in Cuba and struggled with the injury throughout 1996 and early 1997. After re-injuring her knee during a weights session, she had another surgery and returned to competition in 1998.

Awards and Honours

In 2004, she became the first non-European to win an Olympic shot put title. This achievement marked a significant milestone in her career.

Personal Interests

Outside of athletics, she enjoys listening to loud music, watching films and soap operas, dancing, and spending time with her family.

Future Ambitions

Looking ahead, she aims to throw 20 metres. This goal reflects her dedication to pushing her limits and achieving new milestones in her sport.

Her journey from a young athlete inspired by an Olympic medalist to an Olympic gold medalist herself is a testament to her hard work and perseverance. Despite facing numerous injuries and challenges, she continues to strive for excellence in shot put.