Cuba’s greatest Greco-Roman wrestler of all time – Mijaín Lopez stated that the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo will be the final competition in his illustrious career.
Lopez, 37, is on the verge of rewriting history once again, as he would become the first man to win four Olympic gold medals in wrestling should he triumph in Japan’s capital this year.
He captured Greco-Roman titles at 120 kilograms in Beijing and London and also claimed 130kg gold in Rio. If he is successful again he would match the achievement of Japan’s four-time Olympic champion in women’s wrestling, Kaori Icho.
He would move ahead of Russia’s Aleksandr Karelin, who won three golds and one silver, as the most successful men’s wrestler at the Olympics.
“After Tokyo, I am retiring, it’s already decided,” he said.
“Because of my age, I want to rest and it’s time to give the opportunity to new generations.
“I want to say goodbye of course by winning my fourth Olympic gold medal. I am preparing myself for this and I am sure that I will achieve it.”
Another gold medal would mean Lopez is the most successful Olympian from Cuba. The 5-time world champion will move in front of boxing legends Teofilo Stevenson and Felix Savon who have three Olympic titles each.
