Mijaín López, who will turn 42 in two weeks, cemented his legacy in wrestling by defeating Yasmani Acosta of Chile in the 130kg Greco-Roman event final. With this win, López now holds the record for the most successive individual Olympic gold medals across six Olympic appearances, an extraordinary feat.
Each of López’s Olympic journeys is a story in itself. When asked to describe his experiences, he reflected: “Beijing – youth; London – transcendence; Rio – effort; Tokyo – sacrifice; Paris – joy.” His dedication to his sport and the joy he finds in it have driven him to achieve these remarkable results.
A true legend, López briefly retired after the 2021 Tokyo Games, but his love for wrestling brought him back. Despite a three-year absence and battling four herniated discs, he astonished the world by defeating the reigning world champion, Amin Mirzazadeh of Iran, in the quarter-finals.
The final victory was bittersweet as López faced his close friend Acosta. López, known for his humility and passion for the sport, shared his thoughts: “To achieve all of these results, one has to love their sport, love their job, and demonstrate to the world that with so little you can achieve great things.”
The crowd recognized López’s greatness, giving him a standing ovation. In a traditional gesture, he placed his shoes in the middle of the mat to signify his retirement. “Wrestling has been the love of my life, for all of my life,” he expressed, acknowledging the need to make way for the next generation.
López’s record-breaking achievement sets a benchmark for others to aspire to. His friend and rival, Acosta, described him as a “legend worldwide,” highlighting their long-standing friendship and the support they’ve offered each other over the years.
As López concludes his Olympic journey, he leaves behind a legacy of dedication, passion, and humility. His impact on the sport of wrestling will be felt for years to come, inspiring future generations of wrestlers.
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