His most successful period came in a winning streak starting with the 1999 Pan American Games title, and covered every major event he entered including the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, three world championships (1999, 2001, 2003), and the 2003 Pan American Games.

His most recent victory was at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, defeating Amir Khan in the final, and retaining his gold medal from four years earlier.

Kindelan holds wins over future professional world champions Felix Trinidad, Miguel Cotto, Amir Khan and Andreas Kotelnik.

Kindelan also beat fellow Olympic champions Somluck Kamsing and Felix Diaz.

Typical for athletes from Cuba, where professional sport is prohibited, his reward is his pride in representing his people on the Olympic stage.