There’s no denying the power behind athletes like Ronda Rousey, considering Latina sports greats are few and far between. She’s currently dominating in the UFC ring and has the championship belt to prove it. Scarce as they might be, there are a slew of women of Hispanic descent who continue to impact the world of sports in a major way.
READ: 11 Artistic & Cultural Ways To Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
From basketball to golf, there have been femme fatales whose accolades have set the standards for generations to come. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we recognize Latinas who have exceeded everyone’s expectations in the Olympics and beyond.
-
Image Credit: Techno Buffalo -
Ronda Rousey
Image Credit: Getty Images There’s no denying the greatness of UFC Champion Ronda Rousey. The part-Venezuelan fighter turned actress continues to build her monumental resume, in MMA and in film. She remains undefeated and still holds the title as UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion and the last Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion.
-
Diana Taurasi
Image Credit: Latina Basketball player Diana Taurasi hails from California, but has roots in Argentina. The 33-year-old guard has won three WNBA championships and three gold medals at the Olympics. Taurasi recently skipped the 2015 WNBA season to play strictly for Russian’s national team. She plans to return to the WNBA next year.
-
Amy Rodriguez
Image Credit: Latina Cubana soccer star Amy Rodriguez plays for FC Kansas City, and she has won two Olympic Gold medals in soccer. Rodriguez, 28, returned to the sport in February 2014 after the birth of her first son, Ryan.
-
Idalys Ortiz
Image Credit: Latina Idalys Ortiz may have won bronze at the 2008 Olympics, but she’ll continue to be remembered for her award for years to come. Last year, the mighty judoka was named the top female athlete in Cuba.
-
Monica Puig
Image Credit: Getty Images Tennis player Monica Puig is one of the highest-ranked Latinas in the sport. The international tennis star was born into a Puerto Rican family in Miami, FL. In 2014, she won in the Central American and Caribbean Games.
-
Mary Joe Fernandez
Image Credit: Latina Mary Joe Fernandez was the runner-up in three Grand Slam singles tournaments and won two Grand Slam women’s doubles titles and two Olympic gold medals. In 1985, aged 14 years and 8 days, she became the youngest player to win a main draw match at the U.S. Open when she defeated Sara Gomer in the first round. Hailing from La Republica Dominicana, Fernandez moved to Miami where she finished her education. After winning numerous tournaments and earning gold medals in the 1992 & 1996 Olympics, Fernandez retired and served as a tennis commentator for ESPN and CBS Sports.
-
Jennifer Rodriguez
Image Credit: Darci Miller Cuban-American speed skater Jennifer Rodriguez started her career as an artistic roller skater. She won multiple national championships placing second and third at world championships. Later on, the Miami native began inline speed skating and became world champion in 1993. In 1996, she made the switch to inline ice skating and got to participate in the 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics. She won two bronze medals in Salt Lake City in 2002.
-
Sisleide “Sissi” do Amor Lima
Image Credit: Imagen Por Favor Brazilian footballer Sisleide do Amor Lima a.k.a “Sissi” played as an attacking midfielder for the FC Gold Pride of Women’s Professional Soccer and is a former member of the Brazil women’s national football team. After playing with the Brazilian national team at the early age of 16, Sissi began to play for the first women’s professional soccer league in 2001. Now a days, Sissi serves as a coach for the Walnut Creek Soccer Club.
-
Lisa Fernandez
Image Credit: Pinterest Softball pitcher Lisa Fernandez has established an impressive Olympic record in softball with 21 strikeouts in a game. The former member of the United States Women’s team was born in Long Beach, California but is of Cuban and Puerto Rican descent. Now Fernandez coaches for the women’s softball team at UCLA.
-
Fay Crocker
Image Credit: Getty Images Uruguayan professional golfer Fay Crocker was born to national golf champion parents Frederick and Helen Crocker. During her seasoned career, she won 11 LPGA tournaments including two major championships, the 1955 U.S. Women’s Open and 1960 Titleholders Championship. Crocker was the oldest player to win her first LPGA event, the first U.S. Women’s Open champion from outside the United States, and the oldest women’s major champion. She passed away after her retirement at the age of 69.