On Monday night, U.S. wrestler Alan Vera sadly passed away at the age of 33 after experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest while playing soccer earlier this summer, as announced by USA Wrestling.

Vera, a prominent member of the Greco-Roman national team, was attempting to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. He collapsed while playing soccer with friends in Jersey City, New Jersey, on July 29, as shared by his club, New Jersey Wolves FC, on Instagram. He spent several weeks in the hospital before struggling with an unexpected infection late over the weekend, according to a GoFundMe page set up for his family.

He leaves behind his wife, two-time Olympic wrestler Elena Pirozhkova, and their baby daughter Alina, who was born this summer.

“We are heartbroken,” stated Rich Bender, executive director of USA Wrestling. “Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to Elena, Alina, and the entire Vera family, as well as all who knew Alan. The wrestling community is mourning the loss of a remarkable champion whose extraordinary life touched many in USA Wrestling and beyond.”

Originally from Cuba, Vera began his wrestling career competing for his home country, where he secured four national championships and a Pan American title in 2016. Later that year, he moved to the United States, obtained citizenship, and became eligible to compete for Team USA.

Vera represented the U.S. at the world championships in 2021 and 2022 and was part of the national team for four years in Greco-Roman wrestling, which prohibits holds below the waist. He also earned a place for Team USA in the Paris Olympics at 97 kilograms through his performance in an Olympic qualifying event in Mexico, although he ultimately finished second to Josef Rau at the Olympic trials held earlier this year.

As of Wednesday afternoon, USA Wrestling announced that no memorial service details for Vera had been shared yet. The fundraising campaign on GoFundMe aimed to support his family and assist with childcare for his newborn daughter, raising nearly $43,000.

For more information, reach out to Tom Schad  on social media @Tom_Schad.