Cuban Wrestling Legend Mijain Lopez Clinches Historic Fifth Gold, Announces Retirement

Following a victorious match, Mijain Lopez marked the end of an illustrious career by placing his shoes in the center of the mat.

PARIS, France — Mijain Lopez has etched his name into Olympic history.

The 41-year-old Cuban wrestler clinched his fifth consecutive gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling by defeating Yasmani Acosta Fernandez of Chile 6-0 in the 130-kilogram final at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday. Lopez becomes the first athlete to win gold in any event at five consecutive Olympic Games, and the first wrestler to achieve this feat.

Lopez’s post-match ritual of placing his shoes on the mat symbolized his retirement. His Olympic journey began in 2004, where he finished fifth in Athens.

After securing his gold medal, Lopez shared a moment with Acosta Fernandez, a Cuban native who moved to Chile for better opportunities in wrestling. Acosta Fernandez earned Chile its first wrestling medal.

The celebration continued with jubilant fans clapping to “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by the Eurythmics. Lopez, soaking in the moment, unstrapped his shoes as the crowd erupted in cheers.

On Monday, Lopez had indicated his intention to retire, emphasizing the need for younger athletes to step into the spotlight. Following his ritual, he stood with arms raised, acknowledging the crowd’s adulation.

Lopez’s previous triumph in Tokyo made him the first male wrestler to win four gold medals, dominating his opponents without conceding a single point. In this Olympic run, he relinquished just two points in four matches.