U.S. wrestler Alan Vera died earlier this week after he suffered cardiac arrest over the summer while playing soccer with friends, USA Wrestling announced.
He was 33.
“Our hearts have been broken,” USA Wrestling executive director Rich Bender said in a statement. “Our sincere thoughts and prayers go out to Elena, Alina and all of Alan’s family, as well as those who have known Alan. The wrestling community mourns the loss of a great champion, whose incredible life impacted so many within USA Wrestling and around the world.”
The wrestler went into cardiac arrest on July 29 while playing soccer with a group of friends in Jersey City, New Jersey, according to a post by Vera’s club soccer team, New Jersey Wolves FC.
In a tribute on Instagram, New Jersey Wolves FC said Vera’s “spirit on and off the field inspired us all” and that his “kindness will forever echo in our hearts.”
Vera had been hospitalized since the incident, but he died on Monday around 8 p.m. “after an unexpected infection took hold over the weekend,” according to a GoFundMe page set up to aid his family.
“While his passing brings a sense of peace knowing he is no longer suffering, the void left behind is immeasurable,” part of the page read.
Vera was an accomplished wrestler and a member of the Greco-Roman national team, just missing out on qualifying for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
He is survived by his wife Elena Pirozhkova, who is a two-time Olympic wrestler, and their infant daughter Alina.
Vera was born in Cuba and competed for their national team, winning bronze at the 2015 Pan American Games and gold the following year at the 2016 Pan American Championships.
He later immigrated to the United States in 2016 and pursued U.S. citizenship while continuing to compete before eventually becoming eligible to compete for the American team.
Vera continued his distinguished career under the red, white and blue, competing for the U.S. in the 2021 and 2022 world championships.
He also won silver during the 2024 Pan American Championships after taking bronze the year prior.
He finished second at the Olympic team trials earlier this year in State College, Pennsylvania.
