Jaime Espinal has decided to close the book on his career as an athlete.
The two-time Olympian formally announced Thursday that he will retire as a competitor after a fruitful career in the wrestling discipline with a handful of international medals. He warned, however, that in the near future he could be reactivated in the sports environment because his life goal is one day to hold a position as president of the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee or as Secretary of the Department of Recreation and Sports.
Framed in the tenth anniversary of having secured a silver medal during the London 2012 Olympic Games, Espinal affirmed that he began the transition to give free rein to other stages in his professional life that includes acting in plays and films.
“There are mixed feelings, but I feel joy”, Espinal said during a press conference at the Olympic House in San Juan. “It is a very special and beautiful moment. I have a job and an office. I will be an ordinary person.”
Espinal won a gold medal at the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games held in Mayagüez. In 2011, he finished fifth at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. That same year, he won silver at the Pan American Wrestling Qualification Tournament in Florida.
“My main life plan is to be the president of the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee or secretary of the Department of Recreation and Sports (DRD)”
–Jaime Espinal
The following year, he finished third at the International Tournament in Romania, and gold at the Fighting Championship in Italy. At the Pan American Wrestling Tournament in Kissimmee, Florida, he qualified for the Olympic Games in London.
At the 2012 London Olympics, Espinal began by defeating Dato Marsagishvili. In the semifinals, he outclassed Soslan Gattsiev to advance to the final round against Sharif Sharifov. In the fight, Sharifov defeated Espinal 3-1 to win the gold. Espinal achieved the second silver medal for Puerto Rico in 17 Olympics and the second for the country in London. Javier Culson hung bronze in the 400 meters with fences in the same jousts.
Espinal was the flag bearer for the Puerto Rican delegation at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
“Sport does not teach one to retire. Luckily I had the opportunity to plan ahead because I didn’t get hurt and retirement came at the time. I feel like I’ve done things right. I will take a sabbatical year because I am a bit lacerated with the people of the Olympic wrestling. Pedro Rojas made me an athlete, but we don’t have the best relationship in the world and he blamed politics,” he said.
Espinal explained that he has several plans underway, including starting some projects as an artist manager and event promoter. However, he revealed that he has other higher goals.
“My main life plan is to be the president of the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee or secretary of the Sports and Recreation Department (DRD)”, he assured.