American Greco-Roman wrestler Alan Berra died Monday night from complications from a cardiac arrest he suffered over the summer while playing a club soccer match in New Jersey.
Vera was 33 years old.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Alan Berra, U.S. Greco-Roman national team member, husband and father.” American Wrestling X said in a statement on Tuesday night.
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Alan Vera pinfalls Timothy Young in the first round at Final X NYC Wrestling at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on June 8, 2022. (image)
“Alan represented Team USA and USA Wrestling with the utmost class and always brought smiles to the faces of those around him. He will be missed.”
Bella, who is eligible to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics, went into cardiac arrest on July 29 while attending a New Jersey Wolves FC match with friends in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Cuban wrestler retires after winning five consecutive Olympic individual titles
Bella has since been hospitalized with “serious health issues,” according to USA Wrestling. A GoFundMe page set up for her family said she “unexpectedly developed an infection over the weekend.”
“Despite having given it his all over the last two months, his body could no longer fight,” the GoFundMe page states. “While we feel relief that he has passed away and will no longer suffer, the emptiness it leaves behind is immeasurable.”
Bella, from Guttenberg, New Jersey, is married to two-time U.S. Olympian and world freestyle wrestling champion Elena Pirozhkova, and the couple have a young daughter, Alina.
“Our hearts are broken,” USA Wrestling executive director Rich Bender said in a statement. “Our deepest thoughts and prayers go out to Elena, Alina and Alan's entire family and those who knew Alan. The wrestling community is mourning the loss of a great champion who lived a remarkable life and touched so many lives both within and outside of USA Wrestling.”
John Anderson (red) of the United States faces Alan Bera (blue) of Cuba in the men's Greco-Roman wrestling 59 kg semifinals at the 2015 Pan American Games at the Mississauga Sports Centre. (John David Mercer/USA Today Sports)
Bella was born in Cuba and quickly became a star Greco-Roman wrestler for the Cuban national team, winning a bronze medal at the 2015 Pan American Games and a gold medal at the 2016 Pan American Championships.
He eventually emigrated to the United States, living in Florida where he continued to compete in Greco-Roman wrestling and pursued American citizenship.
Vera will compete as part of the U.S. team at the 2021 and 2022 Senior World Championships in the 86 kg weight class and has been a member of the Greco-Roman national team since 2020. He placed second at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials and earned second place in the 97 kg weight class for the 2024-25 Greco-Roman national team.
He also reached the finals at the 2024 Pan American Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Mexico, earning a spot to represent the United States at Olympic level in the 97 kg weight class.
Alan Berra of New York AC competes in the Greco-Roman 97 kg final at the 2024 Olympic Wrestling Team Trials at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pennsylvania on April 20, 2024. (Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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“Bella was renowned for his exciting wrestling style, including high-amplitude throws and powerful putter moves, which put him in danger on the mat many times. But he will be remembered more for his positive, friendly and upbeat personality that brought joy to those around him,” the USA Wrestling statement added.
