Gymnast María Herranz dies at age 17 from meningitis

The Spanish gymnast María Herranz died “suddenly” at the age of 17 due to “a terrible meningitis” in the early hours of this Wednesday to Thursday, according to the City Council of Cabanillas del Campo, the municipality where the athlete resided, in a statement. . “In the early hours of this Wednesday, April 17 to Thursday, April 18, the very young resident of Cabanillera, María Herranz Gómez, died at the University Hospital of Guadalajara,” the council announced on her website.

The trampoline gymnast at the Ruditramp club in Cabanillas del Campo represented Spain at the World Cup in Birmingham (United Kingdom) in November, finishing in 26th place alongside Carmen Hernández. In the Spanish Championship last year she was fourth in double minitramp and with the team in trampoline, and fifth in synchronism, partnering with Hernández.

⚫️ With deep pain, from the CSD we send our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of María Herranz.

Young trampoline gymnast, she represented Spain in the last World Age Championships.

Will always remember you. pic.twitter.com/bIS9Qrq9xZ

— CSD (@deportegob) April 18, 2024

The municipality's City Council noted that he died “suddenly—in just 24 hours—due to terrible meningitis.” “It leaves inconsolable sadness in the town. A member of a long family of Cabanillera descent, María was a charming, sweet, friendly girl loved by everyone, and a great example as an athlete," the council highlighted. “The City Council of Cabanillas del Campo wants to express its deepest sorrow and pain for the tragic circumstance, and sends its deepest condolences to all of María's family and friends, many of them residents of the municipality. We also extend our condolences to her fellow students and the entire Ruditramp Club family,” the statement added. The town decreed two days of official mourning for the death of the athlete, Thursday, April 18 and Friday, April 19, suspending the sociocultural activities planned for these two days.

The Royal Spanish Gymnastics Federation (RFEG) “deeply” regretted the death of Herranz. “Our deepest condolences to family and friends. Spanish gymnastics will always remember you,” she said in a message on social networks, where the Minister of Education, Vocational Training and Sports, Pilar Alegría, also spoke. “A very strong hug to the family, friends and colleagues of María Herranz,” said the head of Sports, words that were also shared by the Higher Sports Council (CSD). The organization sent “with deep pain” its “most sincere condolences to the family and friends” of the athlete. “We will always remember you,” the text read.