Jorge Martínez: The Legacy of Ciego de Ávila’s Greatest Judoka

Jorge Martínez Wilson, recognized as the finest judoka in the history of Ciego de Ávila, has announced his return to the tatami for a final, intimate series of training sessions at age 35, marking the conclusion of a distinguished career defined by eleven national podium finishes, according to Granma.

Martínez accumulated five gold medals, three silvers, and three bronzes at the national level during a career spanning more than a decade with Cuba’s national team. His international achievements feature a Pan American bronze medal, a World Cup silver, and a team gold at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games in Barranquilla, where he secured the decisive victory. Rather than displaying his awards in private showcases, he keeps most of them in the living room of his grandmother, Hilda, who supported his athletic journey from its beginnings.

Reflecting on his sports path, Martínez explained that his journey started in a neighborhood gymnasium when he was 11 years old. Over the decades, the training mat became his second home and shaped his athletic character. Within the national squad, he earned a reputation for team-first generosity and sportsmanship. When national ranking totals favored teammates over his own Olympic qualification points, he stepped aside without friction.

Career Rivalries and International Legacies

Throughout his active years, Martínez maintained a competitive rivalry with fellow judoka Iván Silva, whom he never lost to in official tournaments. Despite that undefeated head-to-head record in official matches, Martínez acknowledged the current landscape by stating, the victory would be of Silva. He is one of the best of Cuba. Granma

His career brought him into contact with global icons of the sport. He shared training camps with international legends such as Teddy Riner and Ilias Iliadis, absorbing lessons from every encounter. He also faced elite competitors from Japan, capturing both wins and losses against Japanese delegations. Reflecting on those matches, he noted, From them always something is learned. Granma

Not all memories are triumphs. Martínez recalled the bitter disappointment of losing to Medickson del Orbe in the golden score period at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, an event where he ultimately secured the individual bronze medal. Despite missing out on an Olympic medal, a goal he continually chased, he graduated in Physical Culture with a lasting legacy in Cuban sport.

A Quiet Farewell to the Tatami

Following a period of inactivity, Martínez outlined plans during an August neighborhood visit to step back onto the training mat two or three times a week for what he calls un-training. Granma reported that these sessions will involve no rigid techniques or tactical strategies. Instead, every controlled fall and deep breath will serve as a quiet tribute to his body and a personal reckoning with decades of physical demands.

It is difficult to part with it, Martínez admitted to Granma regarding his departure from competitive conditioning.

When he finally folds his judogi and puts it away, the avileño veteran leaves behind a standard unmatched in his region for the discipline founded by Jigoro Kano. For Martínez, the most significant victory of his career was the internal one he fought against himself.