Maritza MARTEN

Maritza Martén took up athletics when she was 11-years-old and was on the Cuban national team from 1983-97. After missing the 1984 and 1988 Olympics due to boycotts, her career highlight came at the 1992 Olympics, where she won gold. Martén also competed at the 1996 Olympics, but did not get past qualifying. Martén competed at four consecutive World Championships, starting in 1987, her best finishes a fourth in 1993 and 1995. Martén was the Pan-American discus champion in 1983, 1987 and 1995, won the World Cup in 1992, was the Universiade discus champion in 1985, adding a bronze in 1989, and was Ibero-American Championships discus and shot put champion in 1983 and discus champion in 1992. She also won discus silvers at the 1986 and 1993 Central American and Caribbean Games, World Cup bronzes in 1985 and 1989 and bronze at the 1988 IAAF Grand Prix Final. Martén retired from athletics after 1997 season and later worked as an athletics coach, serving as the throwing coach for the Cuban national team.