A record has been set at the 2024 instalment of The Olympic Games by Cuban wrestler Mijaín López.
In fact, López was able to check off two Olympic records with his latest gold medal win by becoming the oldest medallist in the history of the competition at 41 years old.
He has also become the first athlete to win a staggering five consecutive gold medals in the same event by winning the top prize in 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 and now 2024.
After proving himself to be the best in the world from Beijing to London to Rio to Tokyo and now Paris, he ended what will forever be a legendary run in the sport by taking off his shoes and leaving them on the mat to mark the end of his Greco-Roman wrestling career.
Not only did he make history as one of the greatest competitors to ever grace the games, he sealed the historic win in dominant fashion.
His former training partner Yasmani Acosta Fernández is another elite wrestler but as a fellow Cuban, he was never able to get ahead of López in the pecking order.
After becoming a Chilean citizen, he took home the silver after being convincingly beaten 6-0 by his former countryman.
MMA Fans React To Mijaín López Retiring After Making History
Wrestling is always going to be a crucial aspect of mixed martial arts and so many top fighters have achieved success in the cage after coming through this background.
With that in mind, MMA fans reacted on social media to the record-setting Olympian going out on top as López left Paris with another emphatic performance.
“Man if he went to ufc he woulda dominated the heavyweight division easily n been rich”
“If he also boxes as well as other Cubans he would be dangerous in the UFC”
“Get this kid a ufc contract”
“Dana will offer him 2K/2k to fight on DWCS”
“That’s one of the most unbelievable achievements in sports history…20 years…no bronzes…no silvers…GOLD. Everytime”
“Teach him how to strike Muay Thai/kick boxing and get him some gloves. UFC champ recipe”
“This generations karelin”
