CubaPLUS Magazine

“My sneakers stayed where they belonged: on the mat, champions and blessed forever,” said Cuban wrestler Mijaín López, the first athlete in Olympic history to win gold in five consecutive editions of the same event.

The Cuban super heavyweight (130 kg) Greco-Roman wrestler felt empty when he placed his boots in the center of the mat installed in the Arena of the Champs de Mars in the socalled City of Lights.

“I felt like I emptied myself.

I gave everything on the wrestling mats, I presented myself with passion and that’s why I also le" my victorious sneakers, the ones that took me there,” said the smiling Caribbean giant.

There was no greater symbolism or analogy possible for the giant from Herradura –his hometown in the western Cuban province of Pinar del Río– to end a spectacular career, which he dedicates to all those who have loved and encouraged him to succeed.

Also to those who trained and guided him in his successes, especially his father, Bartolo, who died last year, who couldn’t see him crowned but who “is there, illuminating my path,” said the athlete.

In this moment emotions surfaced “Pedro Val –now deceased– was my first coach and, like (Raúl) Trujillo, they are my second fathers, the ones who instilled in me the discipline and commitment which was essential to reach the top. They have been my guides, the ones who laid the foundations for my career and thanks to them I am recognized throughout the world. “Trujillo will miss my slams.

I think he’s a very wise coach, who will continue to train and prepare wrestlers, he will lead them to the highest level and some of them will throw their slams too,” he said before letting out one of his usual laughs.

“If they throw slams, it’s because he led them to success,” he added.

In terms of sport, he recalled that Athens 2004 was the start of his Olympic journey, where he didn’t win any medals, but he knew how to learn from that defeat.

“I have competed in six Games and won gold in five of them. I am happy with everything I have achieved and I dedicate my triumphs to every human being who contributed to Mijaín staying in competition for so many years, in particular to those young people who inspired me every day to work to achieve these results,” he said.

“I am proud and happy to be Cuban, to have carried the flag of my country so many times and to have brought those medals back to Cuba,” he said.

Mijaín López’s Honors

Olympic Games
Athens 2004 5th place
Beijing 2008 GOLD
London 2012 GOLD
Rio 2016 GOLD
Tokyo 2020 GOLD
Paris 2024 GOLD

World Championships
Budapest 2005 GOLD
Guangzhou 2006 SILVER
Baku 2007 GOLD
Herning 2009 GOLD
Moscow 2010 GOLD
Istanbul 2011 SILVER
Tashkent 2014 GOLD
Las Vegas 2015 SILVER

Pan American Games
Santo Domingo 2003 GOLD
Rio de Janeiro 2007 GOLD
Guadalajara 2011 GOLD
Toronto 2015 GOLD
Lima 2019 GOLD