IHF mourns Juan de Dios Román

30 Nov. 2020

IHF mourns Juan de Dios Román

It is with great sadness that the IHF has learned of the passing of Juan de Dios Román.

The former Spain men’s national team coach, Royal Spanish Handball Federation (RFEBM) President and IHF Commission of Coaching and Methods (CCM) member died at the age of 77.

Román was well-known and respected throughout the handball world for an incredibly successful career spanning more than four decades.

Román first became involved with handball in coaching, leading Jesuit College of Chamartín in the 1960s. He then coached Athlético de Madrid and BM Ciudad Real which included several titles including multiple league championships and the Copa del Reys. Despite the tremendous success Ramón had coaching at the club level, he is also remembered for his accomplishments with the men’s national team.

Winning bronze at Atlanta 1996, Román led Spain to their first Olympic medal in handball, followed by another bronze medal at Sydney 2000. He also coached them to two European championship silver medals in 1996 and 1998, and a bronze in 2000.

After coaching, he served as RFEBM President from 2008 to 2013, overseeing tremendous success by the national teams and the organisation of the first IHF Men’s World Championship in Spain in 2013. Román also served in other administrative roles during his career including RFEBM technical director and IHF CCM member. Additionally, he was a professor at the Faculty of Physical Activity Sciences and Sports (INEF) in Madrid and at the National School of Coaches.

Among the merits of his sporting career, Román has received the RFEBM Gold and Brilliant Badge, the Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sports Merit, the Francisco Fernández Ochoa Award at the National Sports Awards 2017 or the Mérida Beloved Son Award, among others.

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Román (center) celebrates Spain's IHF Men's World Championship victory on home soil in 2013.


“Francisco V. Blázquez, President of the Royal Spanish Handball Federation, as well as its Board of Directors and the federation staff, deeply regret the loss of Juan de Dios Román, and offer their deepest condolences to his family and friends in these difficult times,” said the RFEBM.

“It is very difficult to find the words before the loss of this key, unique figure in the history of Spanish handball. Wherever you are, Juan de Dios, rest in peace.”

“I was deeply saddened to learn we have lost such an icon of our sport,” said IHF President Dr Moustafa. “His incredible impacts on handball were felt, not only in Spain, where he was a major contributor to the success of the federation, but also globally. We wish his family and friends peace and strength during this difficult time.”