Cuban wrestling legend Mijaín López has done it again! The 41-year-old powerhouse claimed his fifth consecutive Olympic gold in the men’s Greco-Roman wrestling 130kg final at the Paris 2024 Olympics, becoming the first athlete in history to achieve such a feat in a single event. López’s victory solidifies his status as the undisputed “God of Wrestling,” surpassing even the legendary records of athletes like Michael Phelps.
In the early hours of Wednesday, López dominated the final match, securing a 6-0 victory over his Chilean opponent. After his win, López performed a touching gesture that marked the end of his illustrious career—he kissed the wrestling mat, removed his shoes, kissed them as well, and placed them on the mat, signaling his retirement in front of a cheering crowd.
“It’s like leaving a part of your life behind,” López said. “I started wrestling at a very young age, and this sport has given me everything. I leave a dream on that mat, a dream that will inspire generations to come.”
López first competed in the Olympics at the 2004 Athens Games, where he fell short in the quarterfinals. However, he came back stronger at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, winning his first gold, and he hasn’t let the gold slip away since. Commentators paid tribute to López during his victory, declaring, “He is the gold in this event. Why? Because he always has been.”
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