Cuban Greco-Roman wrestler Mijain Lopez wins record fifth straight gold, and then retires
AP | Wednesday, 7 August 2024 | Click here for original article
The 41-year-old Cuban defeated Yasmani Acosta Fernandez of Chile 6-0 in the 130-kilogram final at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday to win his fifth consecutive gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling.
He’s the first Olympic athlete to win gold in the same event at five consecutive Games, and the first wrestler to win five gold medals.
“What’s great is the joy,” Lopez said through a translator. “It was a result that I was craving, but also for the whole world and my country. So happy to reach the Olympic elite. The reward of a lifetime of working hard with the help of everyone and my family. It is my biggest win.”
Following the match, Lopez placed his shoes in the center of the mat, symbolizing his retirement. He first appeared at the Summer Olympics in 2004, when he finished fifth. Now, he’s ready to pass the torch.
“I have a lot of inspiration for all the young people that come to me for guidance,” he said. “I have a lot of inspiration to give to the world. I would like to educate the younger generations.”
Shortly after winning this gold medal, Lopez embraced Acosta Fernandez, a Cuban who moved to Chile to give himself a better chance of competing in the big events.
The Guardian reported that Acosta Fernández’s journey to silver was almost as remarkable as López’s path to gold. Now 36, he spent his wrestling career in the shadow of his country’s most legendary athlete, unable to compete for Cuba despite his extraordinary talent, because López – who first competed in Athens as a 21-year-old – always took the only spot available.
Consumed by frustration, he took a trip to Chile in 2015 and never returned. Instead he worked as a security guard while he applied to become a Chilean citizen, and began representing the South American nation in 2017, gaining full citizenship the following year.
“In Cuba, I was always behind him. I trained with him every day for nine years,” he said before these Games.
“I really appreciate him. But you have to understand the circumstances. I cried watching the Olympics, because I saw that there were many [athletes] whom I have already beaten. I left Cuba to achieve a dream. When someone leaves something to follow a dream he’s not a defector. I love Cuba so much, as well as Chile.”
