Yamileth Ábrego, known on the tracks as 'Yamy' and remembered as 'La Dama del Motocross' (The Lady of Motocross), died and left a deep void in Panamanian national sport.
The athlete died while taking part, along with a group of at least 35 people, in training exercises of the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc) at the Cañón de Macho de Monte, in the province of Chiriquí, when they were caught by a flash flood.
The Panamanian Motorcycling Union mourned the passing of the woman who established herself as one of the fastest riders in Latin America.
The organization, which brings together riders, delegates and the motocross community in Panama, extended its condolences to Ábrego's family and loved ones over what it described as an irreparable loss.
Ábrego began her adventure on a motorcycle in 2009, when she was only 14 years old. From her first competitions, she made it clear that she had not come to the tracks just to participate.
She wanted to compete, fight for the top spots and prove that talent and courage have no gender.
The Panamanian Motorcycling Union highlighted her indomitable courage and her skill in going head to head with other riders in a discipline historically dominated by men.
That determination led her to be crowned Panamanian women's motocross national champion on several occasions.
Yamileth Ábrego's journey went beyond Panama's borders. The rider represented the country in the…
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The Panamanian Motorcycling Union mourned the passing of Ábrego, who had established herself as one of the fastest riders in the region. Yamileth Ábrego, known on the tracks as 'Yamy' and remembered as 'La Dama del Motocross' (The Lady of Motocross), died and left a deep void in Panamanian national sport. The athlete died while taking part, along with a group of at least 35 people, in training exercises of the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc) at the Cañón de Macho de Monte, in the province of Chiriquí, when they were caught by a flash flood. The Panamanian Motorcycling Union mourned the passing of someone who had established herself as one of the fastest riders in Latin America. The organization, which brings together riders, delegates and the motocross community in Panama, extended its condolences to Ábrego's family and loved ones over what it described as an irreparable loss.
Ábrego began her adventure on a motorcycle in 2009, when she was only 14 years old. From her first competitions, she made it clear that she had not come to the tracks just to participate. The Panamanian Motorcycling Union highlighted the indomitable courage and skill of the young athlete who passed away. She wanted to compete, fight for the top spots and prove that talent and bravery have no gender. The Panamanian Motorcycling Union highlighted her indomitable courage and her skill in facing off head to head with other riders in a discipline historically dominated by men. That determination led her to be crowned several times as Panama's national women's motocross champion.
Yamileth Ábrego's journey went beyond Panama's borders. The rider represented the country in the first edition of the Latin American Women's Motocross Championship, where she earned an outstanding sixth place. Later, in a competition held in Peru, she officially consolidated her place in the Top 5 of the fastest riders in Latin America.
A spectator holds the flag of Panama during a motocross competition on an outdoor track. (Illustrative image Infobae)
The result raised Panama's name within regional motorcycling and confirmed the international projection of her career. According to the Panamanian Motorcycling Union, Ábrego's greatest victory was not written on a standings table. It pointed out that every jump, every curve and every race of 'Yamy' served to show new generations that there was also a place for them on a motorcycle. Her presence on the tracks helped open a door that today allows Panamanian girls and young women to dream of competing and claiming their own podiums. The organization described her as a pioneer, a role model and an example of perseverance. The courage she showed in every jump and the passion she poured into the motorcycle earned her the respect of fans at home and abroad.
Several motorcyclists ride along a dirt stretch during a motocross competition at the El Trapiche track in Panama. (Illustrative image Infobae)
That recognition, according to the Panamanian Motorcycling Union, paved the way for dozens of girls and young women to practice this sport with pride throughout Panama today. Ábrego raced at a time when motocross was seen as a space foreign to women. She turned that passion into a way of inspiring those who came after her. The Board of Directors of the Panamanian Motorcycling Union emphasized that her career represents an indelible legacy for future generations of national motorcycling. The organization stressed that her story combines sporting titles with a social impact within the discipline.
The Panamanian Motorcycling Union's message of condolence also extended to the community of riders and the fans who closely followed Ábrego's career inside and outside Panama. The organization reiterated that Ábrego's passing is an irreparable loss for the country's motorcycling.