When you think of the all-time greatest Olympian, it's hard not to immediately think of Michael Phelps. The American swimmer ended his Olympic career with a jaw-dropping 23 gold medals and 28 total, running away with the title of most decorated Olympian ever.
However, there is a Cuban wrestler who may be challenging Phelps' claim as the most dominant Olympian of all time — Mijain Lopez.
The Greco-Roman wrestler who competes in the 130kg weight class had a chance at history on Tuesday afternoon. Lopez was the four-time defending Olympic gold medalist in his weight class, first winning the 130kg division in 2008 in Beijing and successfully defending his title in 2012, 2016 and 2021.
Lopez made it five consecutive gold medals in a row with a win over Chile's Yasmani Acosta in the gold medal match, becoming the first Olympian ever to win five consecutive gold medals in a single individual event. He solidified himself as arguably the greatest individual Olympian in history withe the stellar mark.
5 straight Olympic gold medals for Cuban superheavyweight Greco-Roman wrestler Mijaín López. Beijing, London, Rio, Tokyo, Paris. Never been done before in an individual Olympic event, summer or winter, men's or women's.
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) August 6, 2024
And he leaves his shoes on the mat to signal his retirement pic.twitter.com/4DdhfOHIxk
On a day of history, another iconic moment in wrestling.
— jonathan selvaraj (@jon_selvaraj) August 6, 2024
Mijain Lopez Nunez 🇨🇺 wins his record 5th wrestling Olympic gold. Lopez, 41, is the only Olympian to win Olympic gold at five different Olympics in the same event. 🐐
2008 Beijing 120kg GR🥇
2012 London 120kg GR🥇
2016… pic.twitter.com/NFgEpohun2
The 41-year-old is already considered to be one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. In total, Lopez now has 33 gold medals in his career, which includes competing at the World Championships, World Cup, Pan American Games, Pan American Championships and the Olympics.
Here is more to know about Lopez and his historic Olympic career.
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Who is Mijain Lopez?
Lopez is a Greco-Roman wrestler from Cuba who competes in the 130kg weight class.
The towering figure, whose full name is Mijain Lopez Nunez, was born in the town of Pinar Del Rio. He is the younger brother of Michel Lopez Nunez, who is a former boxer in the super heavyweight division.
Lopez was named one of the flag bearers for Cuba this year, carrying his country's banner along with judoka Idalys Ortiz. He also carried Cuba's flag at the 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020 Olympics.
While his resume is incredibly impressive, arguably the best part of Lopez's story is his nicknames. Lopez is known as "El Terrible," which is Spanish for "The Terrible" — a fitting moniker considering the size (and success) of the veteran wrestler. He also is referred to as "Gigante de Herradura" or "the giant from Herradura." Herradura is one of the villages located in Pinar Del Rio.
How many medals has Mijain Lopez won?
Lopez entered the 2024 Paris Olympics with four gold medals to his name. He now has five.
He made his Olympic debut in 2004 but missed out on the podium spot. After winning his pool, he advanced to the qualification round but lost to Russia's Khasan Baroev. The Russian went on to win the gold medal — the last time someone other than Lopez was the 130kg Olympic champ in Greco-Roman wrestling.
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Lopez won his first Olympic gold medal in 2008 when he defeated Lithuania's Mindaugas Mizgaitis in Beijing. He then defended his gold medal in Rio at the 2016 Olympics, beating Estonia's Heiki Nabi in the gold medal match.
In 2016, Lopez went up against Turkey's Riza Kayaalp for the gold medal, successfully completing the three-peat at 130kg. He then made it four in a row in Tokyo when he won gold against Georgia's Iakobi Kajaia.
| Olympics | Result |
| 2004 Athens | 5th |
| 2008 Beijing | Gold |
| 2012 London | Gold |
| 2016 Rio | Gold |
| 2021 Tokyo | Gold |
| 2024 Paris | Gold |
Mijain Lopez age
Born on Aug. 20, 1982, Lopez is 41 years old, soon to be turning 42.
Win or lose on Tuesday, it will be Lopez's final wrestling match in his stellar career. The Cuban is electing to call it quits after competing on the international stage for over 20 years.
"I’ll be retiring, it’s over," Lopez said ahead of the gold medal match. "We need to make some space for those who are coming (into the sport). Wrestling for me has been the love of my life, for all of my life."
