The international press highlighted on Wednesday the triumph of Cuban athlete Mijaín López in Paris 2024, marking him as the only athlete to win gold in five consecutive Olympic Games in an individual event. CNN hailed him as a legend: "With his victory and gold medal, Mijaín López is undoubtedly the greatest wrestler of all time," they emphasized.
Similarly, the specialized outlet MARCA chronicled his five Olympic victories in the 130 kg category of Greco-Roman wrestling. The New York Times stated that the "iconic Cuban wrestler Mijaín López," nicknamed "The Terrible," achieved something "absolutely incredible" by becoming "the first Olympian in history to win the same event in five successive Olympic Games."
Unprecedented Olympic Achievement
"Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and now Paris 2024, all in Greco-Roman wrestling. Nicknamed 'The Terrible' for his fearsome presence in the heavyweight category, he defeated his friend Yasmani Acosta of Chile 6-0," underscored the American media outlet.
The BBC also reported that López became the athlete with the most consecutive gold medals in the same individual event in Olympic history on Tuesday. "The 41-year-old wrestler triumphed in the 130 kg Greco-Roman wrestling category, defeating the Cuban-born Chilean Yasmani Acosta 6-0," they noted.
"The 'Giant of Herradura,' standing at 1.98 meters and weighing 131 kg, secured his fifth consecutive gold medal, a feat no other athlete has ever achieved in wrestling or any other individual competition," said the BBC.
Meanwhile, ESPN reported that the five-time Olympic champion retired after winning the gold in Paris 2024 and asked its readers if they agreed that he was "the greatest of all time." Similarly, Eurosport called it an "incredibly surprising record in the 130 kg Greco-Roman wrestling category."
López's victory resonated within the context of Paris 2024, where he was crowned as the greatest Olympic athlete in history. After the gold medal match on Tuesday, Mijaín confirmed his retirement from active sports following a long career that he had been preparing for since childhood.
With a slow walk, he returned to the competitive surface and offered a legendary farewell before thousands of people at the Champ de Mars Arena: he removed his shoes, placed them on his knees, and tearfully set them down on the Olympic logo printed on the mat.
Mijaín López's Historic Olympic Victory: Key Questions Answered
In light of Mijaín López's unprecedented achievement at the Paris 2024 Olympics, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Who is Mijaín López?
Mijaín López is a Cuban Greco-Roman wrestler who made history by becoming the first athlete to win gold in the same event at five consecutive Olympic Games.
What events did Mijaín López win Olympic gold in?
He won gold in the 130 kg Greco-Roman wrestling category in Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024.
What was significant about Mijaín López's victory in Paris 2024?
His victory made him the first Olympian in history to win the same event in five successive Olympic Games, solidifying his status as the greatest wrestler of all time.