Mijain Lopez’s historic gold medal performance will go down in history.
Mijain Lopez of Cuba is the first man in Olympic history to win four gold medals in Greco-Roman wrestling.
M. López Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
Although Mijain Lopez’s four Olympic gold medals from Tokyo may not make him a household name outside of Cuba, he is certainly well-known there.
Lopez, who is legendary for lifting up his opponents and coaches and tossing them over his shoulder like a knapsack, has just won his third gold medal, solidifying his place as one of the finest in history.
When it comes to men’s Greco-Roman wrestling, “the giant of Herradura” has already won gold in Beijing (2008) and London (2012) at 120 kilogrammes, and he will add gold at 130 kilogrammes in Rio de Janeiro (2016) and Tokyo 2020.
Only rowers Paul Evstroem and Carl Lewis, fighters Kaori Icho and Michael Phelps, swimmers Michael Phelps and Al Oerter, and discus throwers would have a chance at replicating this feat.
The 38-year-old had suggested that these Games would be his last, so he was determined to make the most of them.
The Cuban boxer won the championship with a 5-0 rout of Georgian fighter Iakobi Kajaia.
Boxes of fruit were carried by hand
His ability to lift heavy objects, such as the stuffed animals and fruit boxes he carried as a child, ultimately led him to a career in boxing.
After being discovered by a coach, he decided to give Greco-Roman wrestling a try, and he fell in love with it so much that he kept at it despite breaking both of his legs in 2008.
He has already praised “the Commander in Chief” and his “great dedication to the Cuban people” in Rio, and he has done it again in Tokyo.
Many people will be rooting for him to return to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris to carry the Cuban flag again.
The Golden Years of a Career
When Lopez first competed on the world stage, he was competing in the 120-pound division at the 2002 Junior Pan American Championships.
Lopez has amassed a perfect medal tally ever since. Nine times he has won the Pan American Championships; three times he has won the Central American and Caribbean Games; five times he has won the Pan American Games; and in 2005 he won the gold medal at the World University Games.
At the Villa Deportiva Regional del Callao in Lima, Peru, on August 8, 2019, Cuba’s Mijan López won the gold medal in the men’s Greco-Roman 130 kilogramme finals of wrestling at the 2019 Pan American Games.
This image was provided by Andrés Lino of Panam Sports, through Xpress Media.
Additionally, Lopez has won the World Cup three times, the World Championships three times, and the World Championships a total of five times.
Legendary Olympic Gold Medals
Britannica reports that in the men’s Greco-Roman wrestling events, Lopez has competed for Cuba in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020/21.
In the 120-kilogram division at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, he earned his first Olympic gold medal. In the 130-kilogram division, he successfully defended his championship in London in 2012 and Rio in 2016.
He triumphed in the men’s 130-kilogram Greco-Roman wrestling event in the Tokyo Olympics of 2020, taking home the gold medal. Only four other athletes before Lopez have ever won gold in the same individual event four times.
For good measure, he also holds the record as the first male athlete in wrestling history to win four straight gold medals.
Conclusion
Mijain Lopez’s life story exemplifies the value of dedication, selflessness, and fortitude. His historic triumphs serve as an example to athletes everywhere. We pay our respects to Mijain Lopez, the reigning champion of Greco-Roman wrestling. Thanks for read our Artcle M. López Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
