BTN News: When José-Ludwig Rubio touched down in Bahrain, the local sports authorities had little, if any, awareness of the Dominican Republic’s geographical location. Conversely, Rubio, a native of Santiago, Dominican Republic, had already formed a connection with Bahrain, thanks to two specific athletes: Brandon Simpson, who competed for Bahrain, and Rashid Ranzi, one of Rubio’s favorite athletes. While these cultural references provided Rubio with a sense of familiarity, Bahrain was singularly focused on results, and Rubio was more than prepared to deliver. His reputation for transforming athletes, notably Luguelin Santos—a silver medalist in the London 2012 Olympics—preceded him, setting the stage for an extraordinary journey in Bahrain.
In a striking display of coaching excellence, Rubio’s influence reached new heights at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Dominican Republic celebrated a remarkable achievement as Marileidy Paulino clinched the gold medal in the 400 meters, setting a national record. Remarkably, the coach behind the silver medalist, Salwa Eid Naser, was none other than José Rubio. This Dominican coach had come a long way since his days as a sprinter and student at Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico. In 2017, Rubio took a bold step, moving to Bahrain—a decision facilitated by his agent, who also represents Paulino. Just two years later, Rubio’s coaching prowess was showcased when Naser won gold at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, clocking an astounding 48.14 seconds, the third-fastest time in history. Rubio’s achievement made him the first and only Dominican coach to secure a World Championship gold while representing another nation.
Fast forward to the 2024 Paris Olympics, and Rubio’s coaching legacy expanded even further. After a three-year absence from the sport, Salwa Eid Naser returned under Rubio’s guidance to secure the silver medal. This accomplishment positioned Rubio as the Dominican coach with the highest Olympic accolade while training an athlete from another country. The silver medal won by Luguelin Santos remains a proud achievement for the Dominican Republic, but Rubio’s latest success adds a new chapter to his illustrious career—one that no other Dominican coach, domestically or internationally, has matched.
“Winning the first Olympic medal of any color, for any coach in any sport born, raised, and trained in the Dominican Republic, is a tremendous honor,” Rubio expressed to Diario Libre from Bahrain. He credited his faith, stating, “I give thanks to God. I am proud, for He enlightened and guided me through this process.” Reflecting on the challenges he faced, Rubio admitted that the journey was “extremely difficult,” so much so that he considered retiring from coaching altogether. “Not just this season, but from coaching entirely. However, God illuminated my path,” he added. Support from his wife, Marilely Sánchez, his daughters, and close friends motivated him to continue pursuing his passion.
Eid Naser’s path to Olympic success was far from smooth. After reaching the pinnacle of her career with the third-fastest time in history and a World Championship gold, she faced a significant setback when she was suspended for missing a doping test. Her absence from the sport created a void, but once her suspension ended, Rubio was tasked with rebuilding her into an elite athlete. “I went to Spain with her,” Rubio recounted. “Just the two of us.” In an intense six-week period, Rubio played multiple roles—coach, technician, therapist, psychologist, masseur, and even doctor. It was during these crucial weeks that the two connected on a deeper level, focusing relentlessly on their shared goal. “We kept our eyes on the prize, and by God’s grace, we achieved it,” Rubio shared. Despite Marileidy Paulino being in “the year of her life,” Rubio proudly acknowledged her achievements while celebrating Eid Naser’s unexpected triumph. “No one had her among the medal favorites,” he noted. Today, they walk the streets of Bahrain with pride, their silver trophy in hand.
In a career marked by overcoming obstacles and defying expectations, José-Ludwig Rubio has not only cemented his place as one of the most successful coaches from the Dominican Republic but has also become a symbol of perseverance and excellence on the global stage.
