Mijaín López, the Cuban wrestling legend, has etched his name in the annals of Olympic history by winning his fifth consecutive gold medal in the men’s Greco-Roman 130kg event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This victory makes López the first athlete to achieve five consecutive golds in the same event, outshining even the most celebrated Olympians like Michael Phelps.
In the final match, held on Wednesday morning, López displayed his dominance by defeating his Chilean rival 6-0. After securing his historic win, López made a heartfelt gesture of retirement. He kissed the mat, removed and kissed his wrestling shoes, and placed them on the mat, signaling the end of an unparalleled career.
“It’s like leaving behind a part of your life,” López said. “I’ve been wrestling since I was a child, and this sport has made me who I am. I leave a dream on that mat, hoping it inspires every young wrestler who comes after me.”
López’s Olympic story began at the 2004 Athens Games, where he was defeated in the quarterfinals. He came back with a vengeance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, winning his first gold, and never looked back. Commentators celebrated his legacy during his victory, proclaiming, “He is the gold in this event, always has been, always will be.”
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