René Borjas

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameRené•Borjas
Used nameRené•Borjas
Nick/petnamesTito
Born23 December 1897 in Montevideo, Montevideo (URU)
Died16 December 1931 in Montevideo, Montevideo (URU)
AffiliationsMontevideo Wanderers, Montevideo (URU)
NOC Uruguay
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

René Borjas was a Uruguayan center-forward who won gold medals at the 1926 Copa America in Chile and at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. In Amsterdam he entered the sporting lexikon of Uruguay for the phrase “Tuya Hector”, given to him when he assisted Hector Scarone on the victory goal. Domestically, with Montevideo Wanderers, Borjas won the national title in 1931.

Then the tragic end – while watching his team’s match against Defensor from the stands, he suffered a heart attack and attempts to revive him failed. His teammates asked for the match to be suspended but, despite Borjas’ death, it was not possible to stop the match, as the Nacional team match was being played at the same time, fighting for the title with the Wanderers. The match was thus resumed and was won by the Wanderers, who were crowned champions.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1928 Summer Olympics Football (Football) URU René Borjas
Football, Men (Olympic) Uruguay 1 Gold