In his sixth Olympic appearance, Cuba's super heavyweight (130kg/286lbs) Mijain Lopez achieved a feat no Olympian — not even Michael Phelps — has ever accomplished: The 6-foot-5, 41-year-old has now won five straight Olympic golds in the same event.
Around 9 p.m. in Paris, the wrestler defeated Yasmani Acosta Fernandez of Chile 6-0.
Beijing-London-Rio-Tokyo-Paris. Back-to back-to back-to back-to back.
After clinching victory, Lopez put his shoes on the mat and retired before a roaring crowd. Then he lifted the Cuban flag above his head with pride.
Lopez's 6-0 victory over silver medalist Yasmani Acosta of Chile at the Champ de Mars arena is even more remarkable because, prior to the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Cuban had not competed since winning his fourth gold in Tokyo three years ago.
Lopez pinned his former training partner Acosta in the first period and then added a takedown in the second to secure victory. Once the match completed, the Cuban removed his shoes and left them on the mat -- indicating he would not go for six straight in LA 2028.
"It's a moment to demonstrate that someone has retired officially from the sport of wrestling and that also leaves a path wide open for the younger generation to continue inspiring others," said Lopez post-match. "To achieve all of these results, one has to love their sport, love their job, and demonstrate to the world that with so little you can achieve great things."
His opponent, who was born in Cuba, expressed praise and bittersweet emotions.
"I wanted to win gold, but at the same time, not so much because it's Mijain," Acosta said, adding that the Paris 2024 Olympic gold medalist is "a legend in wrestling worldwide."
(Additional reporting by Reuters)