Who is wrestler Mijain Lopez, grappler who has won five consecutive Olympic gold medals in 21st century

Published at :August 16, 2024 at 4:48 PM

Modified at :August 16, 2024 at 4:49 PM

(Courtesy : @terryfinisterre/X)

He is regarded as the greatest wrestler of all-time.

Mijain Lopez Nunez, a 41-year-old Cuban wrestler, has cemented his place in Olympic history by winning his fifth consecutive gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling at the Paris Olympics 2024. This unprecedented achievement makes Lopez the first athlete to win five individual gold medals in the same event across five Olympic Games.

Lopez’s victory came in the 130kg (286 lbs) weight class, a category he has dominated since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His string of gold medals spans Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 and now Paris 2024.

A Career spanning decades

Lopez’s journey to Olympic greatness began long before his first gold medal. He started wrestling at just 10-years-old and made his World Championship debut in 2002 at age 19. In those early years, he finished 13th and 16th at consecutive World Championships.

His first Olympic appearance was at Athens 2004, where he placed fifth. This experience laid the groundwork for his future success. Lopez won his first Olympic gold at Beijing 2008 and hasn’t looked back since.

World Championship success

Outside of the Olympics, Lopez has also excelled at World Championship competitions. He has claimed five gold medals at these events, winning in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2014. He also earned silver medals in 2006, 2011 and 2015.

Dominance in other competitions

Lopez’s trophy case extends beyond Olympic and World Championship medals. He has won gold at five Pan American Games (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019) and nine Pan American Championships. He’s also earned top honours at other international events, including the Central American and Caribbean Games and the World Cup.

A remarkable feat of longevity

What makes Lopez’s achievement particularly impressive is his age and the physical demands of his sport. At 41, he continues to compete at the highest level in a discipline that requires immense strength, agility and endurance. Wrestling is known for its grueling nature, making Lopez’s continued success all the more remarkable.

Before Lopez’s historic fifth gold medal, he shared the record for four consecutive individual Olympic golds in the same event with a select group of legendary athletes. This elite company included names like:

Carl Lewis (long jump)
Michael Phelps (200m individual medley)
Katie Ledecky (800m freestyle)
Al Oerter (discus throw)
Paul Elvstrom (sailing)
Kaori Icho (women’s wrestling)

Now, Lopez stands alone with his unprecedented fifth consecutive gold.

A wrestling legend

Lopez’s dominance in Greco-Roman wrestling has spanned more than two decades. His consistent performance at the highest level of competition has earned him recognition as one of the greatest wrestlers of all-time.

Greco-Roman wrestling, one of the oldest Olympic sports, allows the use of only the upper body and arms. Wrestlers are prohibited from using their legs for attacks or defence, making it a true test of upper body strength and technique.

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