Mijaín López Núñez Wins Record Fifth Consecutive Olympic Gold Medal

Cuba’s Mijaín López Núñez has just made history in the sport of wrestling and as an Olympic athlete.

Competing at this year’s Paris Olympics in Greco-Roman wrestling, the 130kg, six-foot-five secured his fifth Olympic gold medal by beating former training partner and Chile’s representative Yasmani Acosta 6-0. Just weeks away from turning 42, Mijaín López Núñez has won gold at 2008 Beijing, 2012 London, 2016 Rio de Janeiro, 2020 Tokyo, and now at this year’s 2024 Paris Olympics.

He is the only athlete in Olympic history to win five golds in a single sport. After his match, he announced that this would be his last run for gold at the Olympic Games by placing his wrestling shoes at the center and kissing the mat. He expressed that he “felt a little sad” and that he felt he left a part of his life on the mats. “From a very early age, I was doing this sport. A sport that has made me known worldwide. I left a dream on the mat, but a dream that will inspire all young people,” commented López.

As for his former training partner and Cuba-born wrestler Yasmani Acosta, he was nothing but a true sportsman while receiving the silver medal, mentioning that his emotions were mixed as he did want to win gold, but at the same time, not so much as he was facing off against a legend in the sport and a friend.

“He’s a rival, but also a friend. We have known each other for a long time now. We did the trials together for this year’s Olympic Games. He has been giving me advice in every phase, so he’s everything, a rival, a friend, he’s a brother.”

(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Hong Kong