Hispanic Heritage Month: Maria Celia Laborde’s Journey From Cuba To Team USA

When Maria Celia Laborde stepped onto the mat in France for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, she did so as a proud representative of the United States. But, her journey began thousands of miles away in Cuba — shaped by hardship, perseverance, and an unshakable belief in herself.

Born and raised in Cuba, Laborde first discovered judo at the age of 11. But for her, judo wasn’t just a sport — it was her lifeline.

“When I started, my mom had just passed away,” she said. “That’s something I don’t talk about a lot. It’s one reason why I started judo. I was really angry with life. Judo helped me take away all this anger, all these bad things I was thinking in my mind. It helped me to be a better person. If it wasn’t for judo, I probably would have ended up in a bad place.”

With her father in the Cuban military, her mom had been her main support system. After she passed, she remembered feeling alone.

“I had to start doing everything for myself,” she recalled. “Every competition, I didn’t have the support that other kids had. So that made me strong, mentally and physically. I told myself, ‘You are your own support. You can do it!’”

That self-reliance fueled her rise through Cuba’s competitive judo system. Within six years of starting, she made the Cuban national team and began competing internationally at 17.

But the challenges in Cuba weren’t limited to personal grief. The economic conditions made high-level training incredibly difficult.

“The setup wasn’t really good for training; we didn’t have air conditioning, we didn’t have enough uniforms. We had to go through a lot to make it,” Laborde said.

In addition, there was little future for an athlete after retirement, where coaches barely make enough to live.

“Even if I won a title for Cuba, I could become a coach making only $50 a month.”

She even considered becoming a doctor and had actually started medical school. But in 2014, she made a life-altering decision — and left everything behind in search of a more promising future in the U.S.

“It was the hardest decision of my life,” she said.

The transition was a challenge.

“I didn’t speak English. I didn’t know how to drive or use technology. I had to start from zero — like a baby,” admitted Laborde.

She credits the judo community in the U.S. for rallying around her.

“A lot of people asked, ‘What do you need?’” she remembered. They helped her find jobs, access to coaching, and adapt to a new life. “I never had a job in Cuba. That was hard, but I realized I had to do it to survive.”

For five years, she worked, trained when she could, and waited. Her goal was clear: earn U.S. citizenship so she could compete again — and not just in local tournaments — but at the highest level. In 2022, she realized her dream to become a U.S. citizen.

“That was the most important victory of my life,” she said.

Having previously qualified to go to the Olympics for Cuba, she ultimately decided to give up her chance, knowing that one day she would go with Team USA.

By 2023, Laborde had joined Team USA and also made history as the first American judoka since 2016 to medal at the World Judo Masters, taking silver.

“It was one of the hardest tournaments — only the top 20 athletes in the world can qualify.” The “three really hard weeks” of training in Japan ultimately became one of her favorite memories in her sporting career.

In Paris, she placed ninth, advancing to the round of 16.

“I was really upset,” she admitted. “My goal was to be in the finals. But I was really, really happy to have the opportunity to represent the U.S.

Being surrounded by Olympians and world champions at her first Games was “amazing,” she exclaimed. “Meeting big personalities like Snoop Dogg, and people in the NBA. I was able to talk to Simone Biles.” The experience had her questioning if her new life was real. “I didn’t even believe it!”

Despite the American flag now stitched on her gi (a judo athlete’s uniform), Laborde said she hasn’t lost her Cuban identity.

“I still live like a Cuban. I eat Cuban food. I keep my traditions,” Laborde explained.

She balances both worlds — the struggles of her past, the opportunities of her present — with humility and purpose.

Now 35 years of age and ranked in the top 10 globally, Laborde continues to compete internationally, with upcoming events in Mexico and Peru. Her eyes are set the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.

“I expect now to make the final in 2028,” she predicted.

Off the mat, she is studying at Gateway Technical College in Racine, Wisconsin, preparing for a future in physical therapy. When the 2028 Games conclude, the judoka will be a college graduate ready to start a new chapter.

“It will be time to let go of judo — live a normal life,” Laborde admitted.

Through it all, she remains grounded in her mission to inspire.

“So many athletes write to me — from Cuba, from other countries — saying I am an inspiration. And I tell them they can get whatever they want in life if they work hard. Some people give up because it’s hard. I understand, but don’t give up. Sometimes I was thinking of giving up, too, but I told myself, ‘This is your time, keep going.’”

Laborde has more than fulfilled her dreams. From a barefoot 11-year-old in Cuba to an Olympic athlete for Team USA, her journey is a testament to resilience, sacrifice, and the power of believing in yourself — even when it feels like no one else does.

“I never thought I would have this life in the U.S.,” she said. “Never, ever.”

Lisa Costantini has covered Olympic and Paralympic sports for more than a decade, including for the International Olympic Committee. She is a freelance writer who has contributed to TeamUSA.com since 2011.