Mijaín and Orta give two Olympic golds in Greco-Roman wrestling

August 2, 2021

Mijaín López is the best wrestler in history!

Four Olympic golds is something never seen before in men's Greco-Roman wrestling. Until the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Mijaín López has conquered his fourth Olympic title on day 10 of the Games after decisively defeating (5:0) Iakobi Kajaia, from Georgia, in the Greco-Roman wrestling final at 130 kg.

Although he celebrated it in the same way as when he achieved it in Rio 2016, the gold from Tokyo 2020 is even more special, as it has given López the status of legend: he has become the first man to win four Olympic golds in wrestling. In the women's category, it was previously achieved by Japanese ICHO Kaori (2004-2016).

Tokyo 2020 were López's fifth Olympic Games. After fourth place in Athens 2004 — precisely in an edition in which his brother, Michael, won a bronze medal in boxing — López Núñez only knows how to win.

In this way, López Núñez has made history for Cuban sports, after tying the record, standing for 117 years, as the second Cuban athlete to reach four gold medals. The last one to achieve it was Ramón Fonst in fencing (1900-1904); although it is true, Núñez is the first to do so always representing Cuba, since Fonst won a golden medal in team foil together with the Mixed Team.

These four Olympic medals are the crown jewels of an incredible palmares, in which López also adds five World titles (2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2014).

For his part, moments earlier, Luis Orta had given the great surprise of the games for Cuba and became the first champion of the Greater Antilles in Tokyo. In an extremely close fight with constant attacks, the Cuban never let the initiative be stolen from him and defeated Japanese Kenichiro Fumita.

Time and again the local fighter tried to destabilize the islander, but an iron defense and excellent tactical work by the Cuban made him fail again and again. The clearest opportunity was when Orta was in an inferior position, but even then he knew how to avoid points against him and was able to counterattack to increase his advantage.

"This is a result that comes thanks to the work of the entire technical staff, the effort of everyone and the excellent preparation," the islander assured while still holding the flag on his shoulders.

Orta stated that this triumph was dedicated to his hometown of La Güinera, in the municipality of Arroyo Naranjo. "When you put heart into things, everything works out," he assured.

And that is precisely what Luis Orta demonstrated in Tokyo. He arrived here and step by step eliminated rivals who surpassed him in results, thrilled the few who saw him from the stands, but also the thousands who followed him from television. On the mat it was pure passion and talent. Off of it, he still cannot help but show the shyness of someone who doesn't realize how many have become his admirers in just two days.

He is the Olympic champion against all odds; the first gold medalist for a country that was anxiously waiting for the title that would open the way. That's why when the day ended with Mijaín, the champion who can do everything, he lifted him up and they celebrated together. Because the triumph of Luis Orta in Tokyo is the encouragement to do much more for Cuba.