CHAMIZO MARQUEZ Frank

General
CUBA TO ITALY
Born in Matanzas, Cuba, he represented his country of birth until 2011 when he received a two-year suspension from the Cuban Wrestling Federation for alleged difficulties with weight management. During this period, he relocated to Italy and married Italian freestyle wrestler Dalma Caneva, receiving Italian citizenship in February 2015. The couple have since separated. "I had won a bronze medal at the [2010] World Championships in Russia at just 18 years old. I was the future of the fight for the Cuban national team, then suddenly something broke. I had to lose 10 kilograms to fall into the 55kg category, the one they wanted me to compete in, but I failed to make the weight by 100 grams and they disqualified me. I had a world medal around my neck and I was disqualified for 100 grams, a great regret. For me, difficulties started because living in Cuba without a salary is not easy and I had to invent a new life." (ilmessaggero.it, 02 Jan 2016; gazzetta.it, 11 Sep 2015; iltempo.it, 05 May 2016; theowlpost.it, 01 Dec 2019)

DANCING ON TV
In 2018 he took part in the Italian reality television show 'Dance, Dance, Dance' alongside Italian gymnast Carlotta Ferlito. "I am very happy at having taken part as dancing is one of my passions." (odiarenoneunosport.it, 06 Feb 2020)

He became the first Italian freestyle wrestler to win gold at the world championships when he triumphed in the 65kg category at the 2015 edition in Las Vegas, NV, United States of America. He also won gold at the 2017 edition in the 70kg category to become the first Italian wrestler [freestyle or Greco-Roman] to claim two world titles. (SportsDeskOnline, 19 Jun 2020)