International Award for Mijaín López for his Performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

October 28, 2021

The Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) awarded the outstanding athlete performance prize to Cuban Greco-Roman wrestler Mijaín López, who won his fourth Olympic gold medal in Tokyo 2020.

At a ceremony held on October 24 at the Creta Maris Beach Resort in Greece, Mijaín, who was accompanied by his coach Raúl Trujillo, was honored along with other athletes who had outstanding performances at the summer Games in the Japanese capital, which concluded in August after being postponed to this year due to COVID-19.

According to the ANOC website, the best female and male athletes, as well as the best teams were honored.

These awards were created to show gratitude to the National Olympic Committees and their athletes for their dedication to the Olympic movement and for promoting the values of Olympism throughout the year.

In Mijaín's case, he further enhanced his legend on the mat by winning his fourth gold medal under the five rings in Tokyo, a feat never before achieved by any other wrestler.

To reach the top of the podium in the 130-kilogram division, the stellar Greco-Roman wrestler defeated Georgian Iakobi Kajaia 5-0 in the final, in a match in which he did not concede a single point.

Among his four victories in this event, the semifinal against his eternal rival, Turkish wrestler Riza Kayaalp, stood out, defeating him 2-0 to leave him once again without a chance to reach glory in these competitions.

Below is the complete list of 2021 ANOC award winners:

Best multiple event for female athletes at Tokyo 2020: Estonia foil fencing team.

Best multiple event for male athletes at Tokyo 2020: Italy track cycling team pursuit.

Best female team at Tokyo 2020: New Zealand, rugby sevens.

Best male team at Tokyo 2020: Japan baseball.

Best female athlete at Tokyo 2020: Maggie Mac Neil

Best male athlete at Tokyo 2020: Eliud Kipchoge

Outstanding athlete performance: Mijaín López

NOC highlight of Tokyo 2020: Japanese Olympic Committee

Contribution to the Olympic movement: John Coates