Cuban wrestling legend Mijain Lopez Nunez made history by securing his fifth Olympic gold in the men's Greco-Roman 130kg final at Paris 2024, marking the end of his illustrious career with a triumphant and emotional retirement.
PARIS, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- At the Paris Olympics, wrestling legend Mijain Lopez Nunez from Cuba grappled his way into the history books by securing his fifth Olympic gold medal in the Men's Greco-Roman wrestling 130 kg final, an unprecedented achievement not even Michael Phelps with his 23 Olympic golds had reached within a single event.
Lopez Nunez dominated the final with a resounding 6-0 victory. After the match, he knelt to kiss the mat, and then left his wrestling boots on it, symbolizing his retirement. The crowd responded with thunderous applause and cheers, celebrating the curtain call of a wrestling titan.
"I felt a little sad," the champion said about the moment he walked away from his boots. "It is as if you have left a part of your life there. 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."
The 41-year-old gold medalist, first stepped into wrestling at age 10, got to be recognized after joining the national team. Despite a medalless debut at the 2004 Athens Olympics, the encouragement from his elder brother, Michel Lopez Nunez, a key figure in his life and an Olympic medalist boxer, kept him driven.
"Thanks to my brother that I continued in the sport. He motivated me a lot. He was 2004 Athens Olympic bronze medalist, so he pushed me to follow in his footsteps," he said.
Since claiming his first gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Lopez Nunez never let the gold medal slip through his fingers in the subsequent editions. Reflecting on his journey, he summarized his Olympic experiences: "Beijing - youth. London - transcendence. Rio - effort. Tokyo - sacrifice. Paris - joy."
Participating in his sixth Olympics, he expressed his contentment and pride. "I am very happy and proud. It's beautiful for the next generations so that they have something to aspire to."
Lopez Nunez's storied career and his final Olympic performance not only mark the end of his competitive journey but also set a high bar for future generations, proving that perseverance and passion can indeed redefine the possible.
"I will always be a wrestler, and I will continue to inspire all the youngsters in the sports," he continued. "The legacy that I want to leave to all the young people who follow me is to always fight for what they want to achieve. There are no goals, there is no age, there are no purposes in life that cannot be achieved." ■
