Brimming with confidence, Cuban wrestler Mijaín López arrived in Paris this Thursday, ready to tackle the challenge of securing his fifth gold medal in what will definitively be his final Olympic Games. The champion of Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio de Janeiro 2016, and Tokyo 2020, often referred to as the "GOAT" (Greatest of All Time) in Greco-Roman wrestling, expressed his happiness about being at the event's venue and his readiness to compete on the upcoming August 5th.
“I will be on the mats to prove once again that I can achieve my goal. Physically and mentally, I have always been prepared. Now, it’s just a matter of arriving and executing what we’ve practiced,” the gladiator told the press in statements published on Facebook.
Regarding a potential matchup against the current world champion in the 130-kilogram category, Iranian Amin Mohammadzaman Mirzazadeh, who is seen by some as the favorite, the robust Cuban pointed out that he has already defeated him in Japan and that experience will play a key role if the bout occurs.
Other rivals to keep an eye on include Egyptian Abdellatif Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed and Estonian Heiki Nabi, who also aspire to break the streak of successes achieved by the multiple-time world and Pan-American champion.
Adding to the intrigue, the prestigious sports magazine Sports Illustrated released its usual list of predictions, one of which was the surprising forecast of only a bronze medal for the legend.
Mijaín made his Olympic debut at the Athens 2004 edition, where he finished in fifth place. Since then, he has only seen consecutive reigns, as noted by JIT on the social network X and its website. Indeed, the wrestler from Pinar del Río confirmed that this will be his last competition at this level: “It’s official; the time has come for me to retire. It’s been many years of career, and it’s time to rest and spend moments with my family.”
To adhere to the training plan, the Cuban delegation decided that López would not be the male flag bearer at the inauguration of the event. Instead, boxer Julio César La Cruz took his place, who was eliminated in his debut in the 92-kilogram category.
Mijaín López's Fifth Olympic Gold Quest and Retirement
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about Mijaín López's quest for his fifth Olympic gold and his announced retirement:
When did Mijaín López make his Olympic debut?
Mijaín López made his Olympic debut at the Athens 2004 Games, finishing in fifth place.
Who are Mijaín López's main rivals for the 2024 Paris Olympics?
His main rivals include Iranian Amin Mohammadzaman Mirzazadeh, Egyptian Abdellatif Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed, and Estonian Heiki Nabi.
Why did Mijaín López decide not to be the flag bearer at the 2024 Paris Olympics?
The Cuban delegation decided that López would not be the flag bearer to allow him to adhere to his training plan. Boxer Julio César La Cruz took his place.