1. Overview
Yurisleidy Lupetey Cobas (born May 6, 1981) is a prominent Cuban judoka who competed in the -57 kg weight class. Throughout her distinguished career, she earned an Olympic bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, became a World Champion in 2001, and secured numerous titles at Pan American Games and Pan American Judo Championships. Her career spanned from the junior circuit in the late 1990s through multiple Olympic Games, establishing her as one of Cuba's most successful judo athletes.
2. Early life and background
Yurisleidy Lupetey Cobas was born on May 6, 1981, in Holguín, Cuba. She stands at a height of 64 in (162 cm).
3. Judo career
Yurisleidy Lupetey Cobas's judo career began in the late 1990s, where she quickly established herself as a formidable competitor in junior and youth categories before transitioning to a highly successful senior career that saw her compete in multiple Olympic Games.
3.1. Junior career and early success
Lupetey Cobas achieved early success in her junior career. In 1998, she won the gold medal at the World Youth Games. The same year, she secured a bronze medal at the World Judo Juniors Championships held in Cali, Colombia. Her promising start continued in 2000 when she claimed the gold medal at the World Judo Juniors Championships in Nabeul, Tunisia, signaling her readiness for senior international competitions.
3.2. Senior career highlights
Lupetey Cobas's senior career was marked by consistent high-level performances and significant medal achievements across major international tournaments. In 2001, she achieved a career highlight by winning the gold medal at the 2001 World Judo Championships in Munich, Germany, in the -57 kg division. The same year, she won gold at the Summer Universiade in Beijing, China, and the Pan American Judo Championships in Cordoba, Argentina.
She continued her dominance in 2002, securing gold medals at both the French International and German International tournaments, as well as the Pan American Judo Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. In 2003, Lupetey Cobas won gold at the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo. At the 2003 World Judo Championships in Osaka, Japan, she earned a bronze medal, after being defeated by Yvonne Bönisch of Germany. She also took bronze at the 2003 Summer Universiade in Jeju, South Korea.
The pinnacle of her Olympic career came at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, where she won a bronze medal in the women's -57 kg category, sharing the podium with Deborah Gravenstijn of the Netherlands. In this event, she was defeated by Kye Sun-hui of North Korea. She also competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, where she was eliminated in the second round, and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, where she also exited in the second round.
Beyond the Olympics and World Championships, Lupetey Cobas consistently medaled at continental events. She earned multiple gold medals at the Pan American Judo Championships in 2006 (Buenos Aires), 2009 (Buenos Aires), 2010 (San Salvador), and 2011 (Guadalajara). She also secured a gold medal at the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games in Cartagena, Colombia. In the 2010 World Championships, she finished in fifth place after a loss to Kaori Matsumoto of Japan. Her final gold medal at the Pan American Games came in 2011 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
4. Major achievements
Yurisleidy Lupetey Cobas's major achievements include:
- Olympic Games: Bronze medal (2004 Athens)
- World Judo Championships: Gold medal (2001 Munich), Bronze medal (2003 Osaka)
- Pan American Games: Gold medal (2003 Santo Domingo, 2011 Guadalajara)
- Pan American Judo Championships: Gold medals (2001, 2002, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011), Silver medal (2004), Bronze medals (2008, 2012)
- World Judo Juniors Championships: Gold medal (2000 Nabeul), Bronze medal (1998 Cali)
- Summer Universiade: Gold medal (2001 Beijing), Bronze medal (2003 Jeju)
- Central American and Caribbean Games: Gold medal (2006 Cartagena)
- World Youth Games: Gold medal (1998)
5. Detailed competition record
| Year | Event | Result | Weight Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | World Youth Games | Gold | -57 kg |
| 1998 | World Judo Juniors Championships, Cali | Bronze | -57 kg |
| 1999 | Austria International | Bronze | -57 kg |
| 1999 | German International | Silver | -57 kg |
| 2000 | World Judo Juniors Championships, Nabeul | Gold | -57 kg |
| 2001 | French International | Bronze | -57 kg |
| 2001 | German International | Silver | -57 kg |
| 2001 | Hungarian International | Gold | -57 kg |
| 2001 | World Judo Championships, Munich | Gold | -57 kg |
| 2001 | Summer Universiade, Beijing | Gold | -57 kg |
| 2001 | Pan American Judo Championships, Cordoba | Gold | -57 kg |
| 2001 | Fukuoka International | Gold | -57 kg |
| 2002 | French International | Gold | -57 kg |
| 2002 | German International | Gold | -57 kg |
| 2002 | Hungarian International | Bronze | -57 kg |
| 2002 | World Cup Team Event | Silver | -57 kg |
| 2002 | Pan American Judo Championships, Santo Domingo | Gold | -57 kg |
| 2003 | French International | Gold | -57 kg |
| 2003 | German International | Gold | -57 kg |
| 2003 | Austria International | Gold | -57 kg |
| 2003 | Pan American Games, Santo Domingo | Gold | -57 kg |
| 2003 | Summer Universiade, Jeju | Bronze | -57 kg |
| 2003 | World Judo Championships, Osaka | Bronze | -57 kg |
| 2004 | Pan American Judo Championships, Isla Margarita | Silver | -57 kg |
| 2004 | Olympic Games, Athens | Bronze | -57 kg |
| 2005 | World Judo Championships | 5th Place | -57 kg |
| 2006 | French International | Bronze | -57 kg |
| 2006 | Pan American Judo Championships, Buenos Aires | Gold | -57 kg |
| 2006 | Central American and Caribbean Games, Cartagena | Gold | -57 kg |
| 2006 | World Cup Team Event | Silver | -57 kg |
| 2007 | Belgian International | Silver | -57 kg |
| 2007 | Pre-Olympic Tournament Team Event | Silver | -57 kg |
| 2008 | Pan American Judo Championships, Miami | Bronze | -57 kg |
| 2009 | Belgian International | Bronze | -57 kg |
| 2009 | Pan American Judo Championships, Buenos Aires | Gold | -57 kg |
| 2010 | Pan American Judo Championships, San Salvador | Gold | -57 kg |
| 2010 | São Paulo World Cup | Gold | -57 kg |
| 2010 | Margarita Island World Cup | Gold | -57 kg |
| 2010 | World Judo Championships | 5th Place | -57 kg |
| 2011 | Pan American Judo Championships, Guadalajara | Gold | -57 kg |
| 2011 | Pan American Games, Guadalajara | Gold | -57 kg |
| 2012 | Belgian International | Gold | -57 kg |
| 2012 | Pan American Judo Championships, Montreal | Bronze | -57 kg |
6. Legacy and influence
Yurisleidy Lupetey Cobas's extensive career and consistent medal-winning performances have left a significant mark on Cuban judo and the international judo community. As a World Champion and an Olympic medalist, she exemplifies the strong tradition of Cuban judo excellence. Her longevity in the sport, competing in three Olympic Games and securing numerous titles at various international and continental events, serves as an inspiration for aspiring judokas and reinforces Cuba's reputation as a powerhouse in the sport. Her achievements are remembered as a testament to dedication and skill, contributing to the recognition of Cuban athletes on the global stage.