Olympic Legend Secures Fifth Gold Medal, Announces Retirement

PARIS, France — Mijain Lopez has gone out on top.

The 41-year-old Cuban wrestler clinched a historic fifth consecutive gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling at the Paris Olympics. Lopez triumphed over Yasmani Acosta Fernandez of Chile with a decisive 6-0 victory in the 130-kilogram final. This monumental win makes Lopez the first Olympic athlete to secure gold in five consecutive Games and the first wrestler to achieve such a feat.

After the match, Lopez placed his shoes in the center of the mat, a symbolic gesture marking his retirement from the sport. His career at the Olympics began in 2004, where he finished fifth in his debut.

Embracing Acosta Fernandez shortly after his victory, Lopez acknowledged the Cuban-born wrestler who moved to Chile to enhance his competitive opportunities. Notably, Acosta Fernandez’s silver medal is Chile’s first in wrestling.

Fans celebrated Lopez’s remarkable achievement, clapping rhythmically to “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by the Eurythmics. The atmosphere was electric as Lopez dropped to all fours, stood briefly, and began untying his shoes to thunderous applause. Lopez had hinted at his retirement, emphasizing the need for new talent in the sport.

After removing his shoes, Lopez raised his arms in the air, acknowledging the fans’ admiration one last time. His Olympic journey saw him become the first male wrestler to win four gold medals during the Tokyo Olympics, where he remained unscored upon in four matches. In Paris, Lopez conceded only two points across his four matches, solidifying his legacy as a dominant force in wrestling.