Amidst the excitement of securing his historic fifth Olympic gold medal, Mijaín López received praise not from a fan, coach, or international outlet, but from his own family. "Mijaín is more a patriot than a champion," his mother, Leonor, remarked, emphasizing that her son's greatest achievement is not just on the wrestling mats but in his unwavering loyalty to the Cuban regime, as reported by the state-run Granma.
The Cuban wrestler from Pinar del Río solidified his place in Olympic history on August 6 by defeating Chilean-Cuban Yasmani Acosta in the 130-kilogram Greco-Roman wrestling final during the Paris 2024 Olympics. This victory marked an unprecedented record of five consecutive gold medals in five Olympic Games, a feat unmatched in any single-event discipline.
Family Pride and Revolutionary Commitment
Bartolo, Mijaín's father, also shared his pride, highlighting his son's dedication to the "homeland." "For me, Mijaín's most significant medal is his heart, his nobility, and his commitment to this Revolution, without which he would have been nothing, being the son of poor black farmers," he stated.
Mijaín demonstrated his dominance by decisively defeating South Korean Lee Seungchan, Iranian world champion Amin Mirzazadeh, and Azerbaijani Sabah Shariati, achieving 20 consecutive Olympic victories without a single loss.
A Symbolic Final and a Mother's Perspective
The final match against Acosta was symbolic, as both wrestlers began their careers on the wrestling mats together as children in Cuba. However, for his mother, the true podium is occupied by "patriotism" and "gratitude" for the revolution, which she believes enabled her son's remarkable journey.
Regarded by many as the greatest Greco-Roman wrestler in history, Mijaín has consistently shown support for the communist government, even going so far as to strike a young fellow countryman at the Pan American Games in Chile 2023, although the lawsuit filed by Damián Montes de Oca Iglesias was dismissed by the courts.
A Hero of the Republic
López was honored as a Hero of the Republic of Cuba for his outstanding sports career, being a five-time Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling, and for his commitment to the revolutionary values of the Cuban regime. This accolade highlights his allegiance to the legacy of Fidel and Raúl Castro, as well as his support for the current regime.
The ceremony saw the reappearance of General of the Army Raúl Castro Ruz, who publicly awarded him the honorary title. The event was also attended by high-ranking figures of the Havana regime, including President Miguel Díaz-Canel.
Mijaín López and His Legacy in Cuban Sports
What is Mijaín López's most notable achievement?
Mijaín López's most notable achievement is winning five consecutive Olympic gold medals in Greco-Roman wrestling, a record in any single-event discipline.
How has Mijaín López shown support for the Cuban regime?
Mijaín López has demonstrated his support for the Cuban regime through his loyalty and public endorsements, including an incident at the Pan American Games where he defended the regime's values.