His bronze medal in Moscow 1980 marked a turning point for sport shooting in Cuba.
14ymedio, Havana, March 2, 2026 – Roberto Castrillo García, a historic figure in Cuban sport shooting and the Island’s first Olympic medalist in the skeet event, died on February 28, 2026, in Guanajay, his hometown, at the age of 85. His bronze medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games remained for 24 years as the country’s only Olympic medal in sport shooting.
Born on June 30, 1941, in the same city where he passed away, then part of the former province of Havana, Castrillo began practicing shooting in the 1960s in Boyeros. Within a few years, he went from amateur to a continental benchmark.
His international career spanned more than fifteen years and five consecutive Pan American Games, from Winnipeg 1967 to Caracas 1983. In those competitions, he reached the podium every time, accumulating seven medals: one gold, four silver, and two bronze, in addition to nine medals at the Central American and Caribbean Games.
His crowning moment came at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. At age 39, Castrillo secured the bronze medal in a competition decided by the narrowest of margins. The medal remained the greatest international achievement for Cuban skeet until Juan Miguel Rodríguez also won the bronze medal in Athens 2004.
His Olympic medal remained the greatest international achievement of Cuban skeet for 24 years.
His precision reached memorable marks: he broke 200 out of 200 targets in a preparatory competition in Mexico City, although the mark was not certified as a world record.
After retiring from competition, he worked as a coach and later as an international referee, participating in national and international events. He was recognized as a Glory of Cuban Sport.
The National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (Inder) announced his passing and highlighted his career. Funeral services were held in Guanajay, where he lived, and he was buried that same afternoon.
Translated by Regina Anavy
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