Paris/Prensa Latina
By Julio Cesar Mejias/special correspondent
My shoes stayed where they should have stayed: on the mat, champions and blessed forever, said Cuban wrestler Mijaín López today, the first Olympic champion in five consecutive editions in the same modality.
Just a few minutes after becoming the summer champion for the fifth time, the super heavyweight from the Antilles (130 kg) of Greco-Roman wrestling, claims to have been left empty-handed when he placed his boots in the centre of the mat installed in the Arena of the Champs de Mars in the City of Light.
“I felt like I had given my all. I gave it my all on the wrestling mats, I gave it my all with passion and that is why I also gave up my winning shoes, the ones that brought me here,” said the Caribbean giant, smiling and illuminated by the blinding lights of the nearby Eiffel Tower.
There was no greater symbolism or analogy possible for the giant from Herradura —his hometown in the western Cuban province of Pinar del Río— to end a spectacular career, which he now dedicates to all those who have loved him and encouraged him to succeed.
Also to those who have trained and guided him in his successes, especially to his father Bartolo, who passed away last year, who could not see him be crowned today but who “is there, lighting my way,” said the athlete himself.
It was the moment when emotions surfaced in the mixed zone: “Pedro Val —now deceased— was my first coach and like (Raúl) Trujillo, he is my second father, the ones who instilled in me the discipline and dedication essential to reach the top.
“They have been my guides, those who cemented my career and thanks to them today I am recognized throughout the world,” he said.
“Trujillo will miss my efforts. I think he is a very wise trainer, who will continue to train and prepare fighters, who will lead them to the highest level and some of them will also throw their efforts at him,” he said before letting out one of his usual laughs.
“If they throw stones at him, it’s because he led them to success,” he added.
The ebony giant also does not forget another great man, from Pinar del Río and a fighter like him, Héctor Milián, champion in Barcelona 1992:
“Having him here with me is a dream come true. He is my idol all his life. I was nine years old when he won the Olympic gold and since then I told myself that I wanted to be like him or better. And today I was able to have him here with me, enjoying my fifth title and also my farewell,” she said.
There was also no shortage of praise for his rival in the fight for the gold, the Cuban Yasmani Acosta, naturalized and representing Chile: “It was a beautiful, historic final, where two Cubans faced each other for the first time in an Olympic wrestling final. I am very happy that Yasmani was my opponent in this fight for the title,” he said.
“He represents another country and we fight for different flags, but there is a brotherhood between us, our hearts and blood are Cuban, we were born in the same cradle which is Cuba,” he added.
In terms of sport, he recalled that Athens 2004 was the beginning of his Olympic path, where he was left out of the medals, but that he knew how to learn from that defeat.
“I have competed in six Games and won gold in five of them. I am happy with everything I have achieved and I dedicate my triumphs to every human being who contributed to Mijaín being able to compete for so many years, in particular to those young people who inspired me every day to work to achieve these results,” he said.
“I feel proud and happy to be Cuban, to have carried the Cuban flag so many times and to have brought those medals for Cuba,” he said.
Mijaín López received a special greeting from Tomas Bach, head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC): “He dedicated some words of praise to me, he congratulated me for my titles and that my feat will not be forgotten because according to him they are already recorded in Olympic history. He told me that he was happy for my successes and for bringing this medal to Cuba.”
After many minutes of questions, anecdotes, laughter, joy… the legendary wrestler sent a message to his hometown: “To my people from Herradura a big kiss and I hope we’ll see each other soon, that’s it (a very Cuban expression to refer to a great party and revelry),” he concluded as he walked away laughing like the Cuban that he is.
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