Cuban Boxing Legend Yan Bartelemi’s Inspiring Journey
Yan Bartelemí (also spelled Yan Barthelemy) is a Cuban former amateur boxer who won the men’s light-flyweight gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Born in Cuba on March 5, 1980, he later pursued a professional career in the United States. Olympedia biography; BoxRec biography
Athens Olympic Gold
In Athens, Bartelemí advanced through five bouts in the 48-kilogram division. He defeated China’s Zou Shiming in the semifinal and beat Turkey’s Atagün Yalçınkaya 21–16 in the final to win gold. The victory made him one of Cuba’s Olympic boxing champions at the 2004 Games. Olympedia: Athens light-flyweight results; The Guardian: report on the Olympic final
From Cuban Team to Professional Boxing
In December 2006, Bartelemí left the Cuban national team while it was in Venezuela, along with fellow Olympic champions Yuriorkis Gamboa and Odlanier Solís. After reaching the United States, he turned professional. He made his pro debut on April 27, 2007, with a unanimous-decision win over Ravil Mukhamadiarov. BoxRec: biography and amateur results; BoxingScene: signing and professional debut
Bartelemí’s career links Cuba’s decorated amateur boxing system with the professional circuit he entered after Athens. His Olympic gold remains his signature achievement.
Sources
- Olympedia: Yan Barthelemí biography and medal record
- Olympedia: 2004 Olympic light-flyweight results
- The Guardian: report on the 2004 Olympic final
- BoxRec: Yan Barthelemy biography
- BoxingScene: Bartelemí signs and starts his pro career
Tags
Boxing, Boxing History
