Mijaín López
Five Games, five golds, one Cuban giant
- Born
- August 20, 1982, Consolación del Sur, Pinar del Río, Cuba
- Nationality
Cuba- Height
- 198 cm (6′6″)
- Style
- Chain-wrestling giant
- Weight
- 120 kg, 130 kg
- Active
- 2002–2024
- Status
- Retired · age 44
The medals
5 Olympic golds; 5 world titles
The story
ijaín López stands 1.98 m and spent two decades at the top of Greco-Roman wrestling. The Cuban placed fifth at Athens 2004, then won the Olympic super-heavyweight title in 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024, becoming the first athlete in any sport to win the same individual event at five Olympic Games. In Tokyo he did not give up a single point, and his five Olympic finals ended with a combined score of 26–2. He also won five world titles between 2005 and 2014 and five Pan American Games golds, and carried Cuba's flag at four opening ceremonies. His great rival was Turkey's Rıza Kayaalp, who beat him in two world finals but lost to him for Olympic gold in Rio. After the Paris final López left his shoes on the mat to signal his retirement.
Tap a technique with an arrow to learn how it works.
- Olympic champion (2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024)
- World champion (2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2014)
- Pan American Games champion (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019)
- Cuba's flag bearer at four Olympic opening ceremonies (2008–2020)
- Co-flag bearer at the Paris 2024 closing ceremony
Defining matches
- 2008WINvs Khasan Baroev (Olympic final, 6–1)
- 2011LOSSvs Rıza Kayaalp (World final, 0–4)
- 2016WINvs Rıza Kayaalp (Olympic final, 6–0)
- 2021WINvs Iakobi Kajaia (Olympic final, 5–0; no points conceded all tournament)
- 2024WINvs Yasmani Acosta (Olympic final, 6–0; fifth straight gold)
Chain your attacks: López was known for chain wrestling, flowing from one move straight into the next. Drill two-move chains from the tie-up, for example an arm drag that turns into a body lock when your partner squares back up.
1976–1994