In the closing moments, alone in the wrestling ring with the crowd chanting his name, Mijaín López untied his boots and brought them to his lips. He placed them in the center of the mat and walked away from his sixth Olympics, solidifying his legacy as possibly the greatest Olympian ever.
By clinching the Greco-Roman wrestling title for an incredible fifth consecutive time just weeks shy of his 42nd birthday, López has accomplished what no other Olympian has managed – and under the warm night sky at the Champ de Mars Arena in Paris, he made it seem effortless.
In his final gold medal match, he triumphed over his long-time training partner and former compatriot Yasmani Acosta Fernández with a score of 6-0, showcasing his strength by lifting the massive 130kg figure of his opponent completely off the mat before tossing the Chilean wrestler over his shoulder.
Acosta Fernández’s path to silver is nearly as extraordinary as López’s journey to gold. Now 36, he spent much of his wrestling career overshadowed by his nation’s most iconic athlete. Due to López’s dominant presence, Acosta Fernández could not compete for Cuba, despite his incredible talent, as López consistently seized the only available spot.
Frustrated, he took a trip to Chile in 2015 and opted not to return. Instead, he worked as a security guard while applying for Chilean citizenship, officially representing the South American country in 2017 and obtaining full citizenship the year after.
“In Cuba, I was always in his shadow. I trained with him every day for nine years,” he mentioned before the Games.
“I truly respect him. However, one must understand the situation. I cried watching the Olympics, seeing numerous athletes I had already defeated. I left Cuba to pursue a dream. When someone departs to chase a dream, they are not a defector. My love for Cuba remains strong, as does my affection for Chile.”
Now Acosta Fernández holds a silver medal, and if he can manage a return to the next Games in his forties, he still has the opportunity to achieve gold.
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However, at Paris 2024 – after over two decades at the top of his sport – that honor is likely to remain with López. The incredible wrestler didn’t shed a tear; instead, he celebrated by raising his fists in victory before hoisting his emotional coach and playfully slamming him onto the mat.
Only then did he step back into the ring, taking his time to untie his laces and hang up his boots for the last time. He may have entered the ring as a competitor, but he exited as an Immortal.
