Frank Chamizo

Chamizo had a trying childhood. He grew up in poverty, and was raised by his grandmother because both of his parents lived abroad.[1] He began wrestling at the age of seven after walking into a wrestling facility out of curiosity.[1] The Cuban government eventually recognized his talent, and helped him attend a secondary school where he could continue wrestling.[2]

In 2010, Chamizo won a world bronze medal for Cuba. He was only 18 at the time. The next year, in 2011, he returned to the world championships, where he placed twelfth. After the 2011 World Wrestling Championships, however, Cuba's wrestling federation suspended him for two years for alleged difficulties with weight management.[1] At a crossroads in life, he chose to move to Italy, where his ex-wife is from.[2][3]

In 2015, Chamizo made his world debut for Italy, and won a gold medal. Before then, no Italian had won a world or Olympic freestyle wrestling gold medal since 1980.

From there, Chamizo went on to win three more world-level medals, including a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics, and a gold medal at the 2017 world competition.

Overall, Chamizo won four world-level medals for Italy, and two world-level championships.

• Frank Chamizo Marquez at United World Wrestling
• Frank Chamizo Marquez at the International Olympic Committee
• Frank Chamizo at Olympics at Sports-Reference.com (archived)