Mijaín López makes history: fifth consecutive olympic gold and legendary retirement
Paris, France - In a finale befitting a sports legend, Cuban wrestler Mijaín López has achieved an unprecedented feat in Olympic history: his fifth consecutive gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling, heavyweight category up to 130 kg. At 41 years old, López retires as one of the greatest Olympians of all time, marking a milestone never before seen.
Juan Pérez
8/6/20241 min read
After winning his final match 6-0 against Yasmani Acosta, a friend and protégé who became a Chilean national, López removed his shoes, a symbolic gesture announcing the end of his illustrious career. With this victory, López not only adds another gold to his impressive collection but also secures Cuba's first gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
López made his Olympic debut in Athens 2004, finishing fifth. Since then, he has not lost a single Olympic match, dominating the editions in Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2021, and now Paris 2024. His Olympic record is astonishing: 22 wins and only one loss.
"To achieve these results, one must first love their sport, love their professionalism, and show the world that with little, great things can be achieved," López remarked, highlighting the importance of sincerity and humility in his success.
López’s journey to greatness began in Herradura, a small Cuban town where he gained strength by chasing animals and carrying boxes of fruit. At 10, he ventured into wrestling and moved to Havana, where he studied Physical Education and began forging his legendary career, which includes five world championships.
Throughout his career, López has faced much younger opponents and overcome significant challenges, such as the world champion Iranian Amin Mirzazadeh, whom he defeated in the quarterfinals. His strength and cunning, acquired over the years, have kept him at the top, even while dealing with four herniated discs.
Before Paris 2024, López shared the record of four consecutive Olympic golds with other sports legends like Carl Lewis, Al Oerter, Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, Paul Elvstrom, and Kaori Icho. Now, with his fifth gold, he stands alone at the pinnacle, cementing his status as the greatest in Greco-Roman wrestling history.